Introduction:
Iron is a chemical element with the symbol Fe and atomic number 26. It is a common metal that is widely used in various industries due to its desirable properties. In terms of its magnetic behavior, iron is classified as ferromagnetic.

Ferromagnetic Behavior:
Ferromagnetism is a property exhibited by certain materials, including iron, where they can become strongly magnetized in the presence of an external magnetic field. This behavior arises due to the alignment of magnetic moments within the material. In the case of iron, its atomic structure allows for the alignment of magnetic moments to occur spontaneously, resulting in a strong magnetic response.

Paramagnetic vs. Ferromagnetic:
While both paramagnetic and ferromagnetic materials exhibit a weak attraction to an external magnetic field, there is a significant difference between the two:

Paramagnetic Materials:
- Paramagnetic materials have unpaired electrons, which give rise to weak magnetic moments.
- In the absence of an external magnetic field, the magnetic moments of paramagnetic materials are randomly oriented.
- When exposed to an external magnetic field, the magnetic moments align with the field but do not remain aligned when the field is removed.

Ferromagnetic Materials:
- Ferromagnetic materials also have unpaired electrons, but their atomic structure allows for the spontaneous alignment of magnetic moments.
- In the absence of an external magnetic field, the magnetic moments in ferromagnetic materials are already strongly aligned.
- When exposed to an external magnetic field, the alignment of magnetic moments in ferromagnetic materials is further enhanced, resulting in a stronger magnetic response.
- This alignment persists even after the external field is removed, making ferromagnetic materials capable of retaining a permanent magnetization.

Iron as Ferromagnetic:
Iron possesses a crystalline structure, which enables the spontaneous alignment of magnetic moments and the generation of a strong magnetic field. This property makes iron highly useful in applications such as electromagnets, transformers, magnetic storage devices, and various other industrial and technological applications.

Conclusion:
In summary, iron is classified as a ferromagnetic material due to its ability to spontaneously align magnetic moments and exhibit a strong magnetic response. This property sets it apart from paramagnetic materials, which exhibit a weaker and non-permanent magnetic behavior.