Iron filings are tiny shavings of iron that are often used in science and experiments to show magnetic fields. Synonyms for the term "iron filing" include iron powder, iron dust, ferrosoferric oxide, ferrous ferrite, magnetite, and ferrimagnetic particles. These synonyms are often used interchangeably with "iron filings" to describe the same material with different forms and sizes. Depending on the experiment, certain synonyms may be preferred over others. For example, magnetite is often used in magnetic experiments, while iron powder is commonly used in metallurgy. Regardless of the synonym used, iron filings are a fascinating material to work with and allow for a variety of educational and experimental applications.