PH3256 – PHYSICS FOR INFORMATION SCIENCE

UNIT – III MAGNETIC PROPERTIES OF MATERIALS

Part –A (2MARKS)

1. What is meant by magnetic materials? Give examples.

Magnetic materials are the materials which can be easily magnetized due to the application of
magnetic field.
Examples: Iron, Ferrites, steel, Nickel, etc...,

2. Define Magnetic flux density.

Magnetic flux density (B) or magnetic induction (B) is defined as the number of magnetic lines
of force passing through a unit area of cross section (A).

𝐵=𝜑𝐴
Its unit is Wbm-2 (or) Tesla.

3. Define Magnetic dipole moment.

Two opposite magnetic poles separated by a distance is called magnetic dipole. Magnetic
dipole moment is the product of magnetic pole strength (m) and the length of the magnet (l).
M = ml
Its unit is Wb-m.

4. Define Magnetization.
Intensity of magnetization of a material is defined as the magnetic dipole moment per
unit volume.
I = M/V

Its unit is Wb m-2

5. Define ‘Magnetic permeability’ and ‘Relative permeability’.

Magnetic permeability is defined as the ratio of magnetic flux density to the applied magnetic
field intensity.
𝜇 = 𝐵/ 𝐻 Henry/metre.
Relative permeability (𝜇𝑟) is defined as the ratio of the absolute permeability (µ) of the
medium to the permeability of free space (𝜇0).

6. Define Magnetic Susceptibility.

Magnetic Susceptibility (𝜒) is defined as the ratio of the intensity of magnetization (I) to the
magnetic field intensity (H).

𝜒 = 𝐼 /H
7. Give the relation between relative permeability ( ) and magnetic susceptibility (𝜒).

When a magnetic material is kept in an external magnetic field, then flux density can be written
as, 𝐵 = 𝜇0 (𝐻 + 𝐼) ------- (1)

We know, 𝜇 = 𝐵/ 𝐻

B = µH ------- (2)
Equating (1) and (2) we get, µH= 𝜇0(𝐻 + 1)
𝜇0 𝜇𝑟𝐻 = 𝜇0 ( + 𝐼 )
Since {µ = µ0 𝑥 µ }
𝐼
𝜇𝑟 = 1 + 𝐻
𝐼
𝜇𝑟 = 1 + X Since, 𝑋 =
𝐻
Hence proved

8. What is the origin of magnetism in materials?

Magnetism originates from the magnetic moment of the magnetic materials due to the
rotational motion of the charged particles. When an electron revolves around the
nucleus,orbital magnetic dipole moment arises, due to the spinning of electrons spin magnetic
dipole moment arises and due to the nuclear spin nuclear magnetic dipole moment arises.

9. On the basis of spin, how the magnetic materials are classified?

* Diamagnetic materials → No spin
* Paramagnetic materials → Spin with equal magnitude in random direction.
* Ferromagnetic materials → Spin with equal magnitude in parallel direction.
* Antiferromagnetic materials → Spin with equal magnitude in antiparallel direction.
* Ferromagnetic materials → Spin with unequal magnitude in antiparallel direction.

10. Classify the different types of magnetic materials based on magnetic moment.

Based on the presence of magnetic dipole moments, magnetic materials are classified into two
types.

(i) Magnetic materials not having any permanent magnetic moments → Dia magnetic
material.
(ii) (ii) Magnetic materials having permanent magnetic moments → Para magnetic,
Ferromagnetic, Antiferromagnetic and Ferri magnetic materials.
11. Define Bohr Magneton.
The orbital magnetic moment and the spin magnetic moment of an electron in an atom can
be expressed in terms of smallest atomic unit of magnetic dipole moment called Bohr
magneton.
1 Bohr magneton = 𝑒ℎ/ 4𝜋𝑚
µ = 9.27 x 10-24 Am2
 12. What is Curie temperature?
Curie temperature is the critical temperature below which a material can behave as Ferro
magnetic material and above which it can behave as paramagnetic material
.
13. Give curie – Weiss law and its importance
Curie – Weiss law is given by 𝜒 = 𝐶/ 𝑇− 𝜃
Where C → curie constant.
T → Absolute temperature
𝜃 → Curie temperature.
Importance:
* It gives the relation between magnetic susceptibility and absolute temperature.
* If the temperature is less than Curie temperature, a paramagnetic material becomes.
Diamagnetic and if the temperature is greater than Curie temperature, a ferromagnetic
material becomes paramagnetic material.

14. What are Ferrites?

Ferrites are the ferromagnetic materials in which the dipoles of adjacent ions are in opposite
directions with different magnitudes.

15. Mention the properties of ferrimagnetic materials.

* Ferri magnetic materials possess net magnetic moment.

* The susceptibility is very large and is a positive quantity.
It is given by
𝐶
𝜒 = 𝑇±𝜃
* Above Curie temperature, it becomes paramagnetic while it behaves as ferromagnetic
material below Curie temperature.
* Mechanically, it has pure iron character.
* They have high permeability, high resistivity, low eddy current losses and low hysteresis.

16. What is antiferromagnetic?

Mention two materials that exhibit antiferromagnetic. In an antiferromagnetic material, the

electron spin of neighboring atoms are aligned antiparallel to each other and they have equal
magnitudes. This type of magnetic ordering is called antiferromagnetic.

Example: Ferrous oxide, Manganese oxide manganese sulphide, chromium oxide.

17. What is meant by magnetic domain?

A group of atoms organized into tiny bounded regions in the ferromagnetic material, where all
the magnetic dipole moments are aligned in same direction is called a domain.

18. Mention the energies involved in origin of domains in ferromagnetic material.

The four types of energies involved in the growth of magnetic domains are

(i) Exchange energy

(ii)Anisotropy energy

(iii) Domain wall energy (or) Bloch wall energy. (iv) Magnetostriction energy.
19. Compare soft and hard magnetic materials on basis of hysteresis loop. Give examples.

Soft Magnetic Materials Hard Hard Magnetic Materials

Magnetic Materials
1. They can be easily magnetized They cannot be easily magnetized and
and demagnetized demagnetized.
2. Movement of domain wall is Movement of domain wall is not easy
easy and hence even for a small due to the presence of impurities and
applied field large magnetization hence large field is required for
occur. magnetization.
3. The nature of hysteresis loop is The nature of hysteresis is very broad.
narrow.

4. Loop area is less and hence the Loop area is large and hence the
Hysteresis loss is minimum. Hysteresis loss is large.

5. Susceptibility and permeability Susceptibility and permeability are low.

are high

6. Retentivity and coercivity are Retentivity and coercivity are large.

small

7.They have low eddy current loss They have high eddy current loss.

8. The materials are free from The materials have large amount of
irregularities Like strain or impurities and lattice defects.
impurities.

9. Example: Iron, silicon alloys, Example: Carbon steel, tungsten steel,

Ferrites, Garnets, etc…, Chromium steel, cu – Ni – Fe, cu – Ni –
co, etc..,

20. Define Hysteresis.

When a Ferromagnetic material is taken through a cycle of magnetization, the intensity of

magnetization (I) and the magnetic flux density (B) lags behind the applied magnetic field (H), and
this process is known as Hysteresis. The closed curve obtained during the cycle of magnetization is
known as hysteresis loop.

Inference: The area of the loop gives the energy loss during the cycle of magnetization.

21. Define energy product and give its importance in the case of permanent magnets.

The product of retentively and the coercively is known as energy product. It represents the
maximum amount energy stored in the specimen.
 Importance: It helps in distinguishing a weak and strong magnet. Therefore, for permanent
magnets the value of energy product should be very high

22. What are the required magnetic parameters for recording? The basic parameters required for
recording are

(i) Electromagnetic induction should occur in materials.

(ii) The material should easily acquire magnetism

(iii) It should possess magneto - resistance

(iv)Soft magnets should be used for temporary storage and hard magnets should be used for
permanent storage.

23. What is meant by eddy current and eddy current losses?

When an alternating magnetic field is applied to the material, it induces an e-m-f and sets up a
large current in the material. This current is known as eddy current and the power loss is called
eddy current losses

24. What is meant by Garnet? Give examples.

Garnet is a ferromagnetic material with a typical formula Me3 Fe5 O12.

Where, Me3 → Trivalent metal ion.

Fe5 → Trivalent Ferric ion.

Examples: Gadolinium Gallium Garnet, Yttrium Iron Garnet.

Properties: * They have high resistivity.

* They have low hysteresis loss.

25. What is GMR?

If the charge in electrical resistance is very high compared to the magnetization, it is called as Giant
Magneto – Resistance (GMR) and this effect is called GMR effect.

26. What is meant by magnetic bubble? How they are formed?

Magnetic bubbles are soft magnetic materials with magnetic domains of few micrometres in
diameter. Formation: When a magnetic field is applied to magnetic garnets like Gadolinium
Gallium garnet, small cylindrical domain area known as magnetic bubble is formed. These
bubbles have a magnetic region of one polarity surmounted by other polarity.

28. What are the requirements of a transformer core material and electromagnets?

A transformer core material should have high resistivity and low eddy current losses. An
electromagnet should have high initial permeability and low coercively
27. Distinguish between magnetic and optical storage devices.

Magnetic Storage devices Optical Storage Devices

1. Data’s are stored using magnetic Data’s are stored using optical principle
principle.

2. Writing and reading the data can be done Writing and reading the data is made using laser.
using electro magnets.

3. Access time is slow. Access time is very fast.

4. Example: Floppy disk Example: Compact disc

29. What are ESD Magnets? Give its properties

ESD magnets are Elongated single Domain magnets, which are made by very small particles with
very high magnetization.

Properties: * They are highly stable.

* They possess large magnetization.