What does Ferrous mean?

• A. Contains iron
• B. Lacks iron
• C. Made of copper
• D. Magnetic only

Answer: (A)

Ferrous means containing iron. The term comes from ferrum, the Latin name for iron, so materials described as ferrous are iron-containing—like iron itself, steel, or cast iron. Nonferrous metals are those without iron, such as copper or aluminum. While ferrous materials are often magnetic, magnetism isn’t what defines ferrous; it’s simply a consequence of having iron. That’s why the option stating it contains iron is the correct one.