The spreading out of iron filings into a certain shape on paper is typically observed in the presence of a magnetic field.This alignment of the iron filings along the magnetic field lines results in the formation of characteristic patterns or shapes, such as lines, curves, or concentric circles, depending on the configuration of the magnetic field and the arrangement of the iron filings.When a magnet is placed underneath the paper or within proximity to the iron filings, it creates a magnetic field around itself.