Magnetic Properties of Materials

Magnetic materials are classified into three categories, based on the behaviour of materials in the magnetic field. The three types of materials are diamagnetic, paramagnetic and ferromagnetic.

Diamagnetic substances when placed in an external magnetic field produce negative magnetization. Therefore, diamagnetic substances are repelled by magnets. Paramagnetic substances acquire a small net magnetic moment in the direction of the applied field. Therefore, they are slightly attracted by the magnetic field.

Ferromagnetic materials are strongly attracted by the magnetic field. These materials retain the magnetism even when the magnetic field is removed. This lagging of magnetization of a ferromagnetic substance behind the magnetic field is called Hysteresis.

5 Magnetic Properties of Materials

Property 1: Intensity of magnetisation (I)

The electrons circulating around the nucleus have a magnetic moment. When the material is not magnetised the magnetic dipole moment sum up to zero. When the material is kept in an external magnetic field, the magnetic moments are aligned in a particular direction and the material gets a net non-zero dipole moment. The net dipole moment per unit volume is defined as magnetization or intensity of magnetisation.

Property 2: Magnetic Field (H) or Magnetic intensity

The magnetic field produced only by the electric current flowing in a solenoid is called the magnetic intensity. It is the external magnetic field that induces magnetic property in a material.

Property 3: Magnetic susceptibility

When a material is placed in an external magnetic field, the material gets magnetised. For a small magnetising field, the intensity of magnetisation (I) acquired by the material is directly proportional to the magnetic field (H).

I ∝ H

I = χmH , χm is the susceptibility of the material.

Property 4: Retentivity

The ability of a material to retain or resist magnetization is called retentivity.

Property 5: Coercivity

The coercivity of a material is the ability to withstand the external magnetic field without becoming demagnetised.

Frequently Asked Questions on Magnetic Properties of Materials

Q1

What are magnetic properties?

The response of a material to the applied magnetic field is called magnetic properties.

Q2

What are the types of magnetic materials?

Diamagnetic Material
Paramagnetic Materials
Ferromagnetic Materials
Antiferromagnetic Materials
Ferrimagnetic Materials

Q3

What is permeability of the material?

In electromagnetism, the measure of the resistance of a material against the formation of a magnetic field is called permeability.

Q4

What is magnetic susceptibility?

The measure of the magnetisation of the material is called magnetic susceptibility.