Final answer:
An iron nail is attracted equally to either pole of a magnet because it becomes a temporary magnet with both north and south poles.
Step-by-step explanation:
An iron nail is attracted equally to either pole of a magnet. This occurs because the iron nail itself becomes a temporary magnet when exposed to a magnetic field, with one end becoming a north pole and the other end becoming a south pole. This means that regardless of whether you approach the iron nail with the north or the south pole of a permanent magnet, it will be attracted because opposite poles attract, while identical poles repel each other. Hence, the correct option is a) equally to either pole of a magnet.