The magnetization in ferromagnetic materials

The magnetization in ferromagnetic materials

can never vanish
is always opposite to the direction of applied magnetic field
is always in the direction perpendicular to the applied magnetic field
may not vanish even when the applied magnetic field is reduced to zero
This question was previously asked in
UPSC Geoscientist – 2022
Ferromagnetic materials exhibit hysteresis. When a magnetic field is applied, they become strongly magnetized. When the applied magnetic field is removed, a significant amount of magnetization often remains, even if the external field is reduced to zero. This retained magnetization is called remanent magnetization or remanence. This property allows ferromagnetic materials to be used to create permanent magnets.
– Ferromagnetic materials show hysteresis in their magnetization curve.
– Remanence is the residual magnetization left after the applied field is removed.
– This property is essential for creating permanent magnets.
Magnetization in ferromagnetic materials is caused by the alignment of magnetic domains. Applied fields cause domains oriented with the field to grow and those opposed to shrink. Even after the external field is removed, some of this alignment persists due to the strong internal interactions between domains.