What is a device that attracts iron and steel due to molecular alignment called?

A device that attracts iron and steel due to molecular alignment is called a magnet. Magnets function based on the alignment of their internal atomic structure, which creates a magnetic field. When iron or steel comes into proximity with a magnet, the domain structure in the iron or steel aligns with the magnetic field, causing them to be attracted.

Magnets are classified into two main categories: permanent magnets, which maintain their magnetic properties over time, and electromagnets, which generate a magnetic field when an electric current flows through them. Both types leverage the principles of magnetic fields and their interaction with ferromagnetic materials like iron and steel.

Coils, while critical in various electrical applications, typically refer to wire wound into a spiral or helix and do not inherently possess magnetic properties unless they are energized to form an electromagnet. Inductors and transformers also deal with magnetic fields but in the context of electromagnetic induction and energy transfer rather than simply attracting iron and steel. These devices rely on magnetic fields created by electrical currents rather than being magnets themselves.