Dropping it on a hard surface
Yes. In this case, the magnet will induce magnetism in the iron, which is originally unmagnetized. Once the magnet is removed, the iron may return to an unmagnetized state; unless the magnetic field near the piece of iron is very strong.
A ferromagnetic material has a high magnetic permeability and can retain a strong magnetic field once magnetized. It exhibits spontaneous magnetization and can be easily magnetized and demagnetized. Ferromagnetic materials include iron, nickel, and cobalt.
The not magnetized rod will be attracted by both of the magnetized rods.
To demagnetize a magnetized iron nail, simply repeatedly heat the nail and then let it cool slowly. This process will disrupt the alignment of the magnetic domains within the nail, effectively demagnetizing it.
Electromagnets are temporary magnets made of iron usually that are created by passing a current through a wire wrapped around the iron. There are also ways of making temporary magnets out of ordinary iron objects that can later be demagnetized. I am not wise in the ways of these latter type of temporary magnets.
Soft iron is used for the core of an electromagnet because it can be easily magnetized and demagnetized, allowing the electromagnet to quickly switch its magnetic field on and off. This property makes soft iron ideal for applications where a temporary magnetic field is needed, such as in electromagnets used in electric motors, relays, and speakers.
Electromagnets are made of soft iron because it has high magnetic permeability, which allows it to easily become magnetized and demagnetized when a current is passed through the wire coil surrounding it. This property results in a strong magnetic field that can be controlled by the flow of electricity, making soft iron ideal for electromagnet applications.
Iron is a common magnetic material due to its ability to be easily magnetized and demagnetized. Other magnetic materials include cobalt and nickel. These materials have unpaired electrons in their atoms, which create magnetic moments that align to produce a magnetic field.
It will stick to either pole, providede that the iron is not magnetized and that it is not above the Curie temperature (the temperature above which iron can no longer be magnetized, named after Marie and Pierre Curie).
iron
iron
IRON OXIDE