Chapter 8: Problem 3

What happens to a ferromagnetic material when it is placed in a magnetic field?

Short Answer

Expert verified

Answer: When a ferromagnetic material is placed in an external magnetic field, the magnetic domains within the material tend to align themselves with the direction of the field, resulting in an increase in the net magnetization of the material. As the field strength increases, the material reaches saturation magnetization and effectively becomes a magnet. When the field is removed, the material can become demagnetized depending on its remanence.

Step by step solution

Understand the properties of ferromagnetic materials

Ferromagnetic materials are materials with strong magnetic properties due to the presence of magnetic domains within their atomic structure. These domains are microscopic regions within the material which have a uniform magnetization. Examples of ferromagnetic materials include iron, nickel, and cobalt.

Explain the behavior of the magnetic domains in the absence of a magnetic field

In the absence of an external magnetic field, the magnetic domains in a ferromagnetic material are randomly oriented. This means that the net magnetization of the material as a whole is effectively zero, even though individual domains possess magnetization.

Describe the alignment of magnetic domains in an external magnetic field

When a ferromagnetic material is placed in an external magnetic field, the magnetic domains within the material tend to align themselves with the direction of the external magnetic field. This alignment of domains leads to an increase in the net magnetization of the material.

Discuss the process of magnetization

As the external magnetic field strength increases, more and more domains become aligned in the direction of the field. When all the domains are aligned, the material becomes fully magnetized, and it reaches its maximum level of magnetism called saturation magnetization. When this happens, the ferromagnetic material effectively becomes a magnet itself.

Explain the process of demagnetization

When the external magnetic field is removed, some of the aligned domains will return to their random orientations, causing the ferromagnetic material to become demagnetized. The extent to which the material holds its magnetization when the field is removed is called its "remanence," or its ability to retain magnetism. In conclusion, when a ferromagnetic material is placed in a magnetic field, the magnetic domains align themselves with the field, resulting in the magnetization of the material. As the field strength increases, the material reaches saturation magnetization, effectively becoming a magnet. When the field is removed, the material can become demagnetized depending on its remanence.

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What happens to a ferromagnetic material when it is placed in a magnetic field?

Short Answer

Step by step solution

Understand the properties of ferromagnetic materials

Explain the behavior of the magnetic domains in the absence of a magnetic field

Describe the alignment of magnetic domains in an external magnetic field

Discuss the process of magnetization

Explain the process of demagnetization

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