Hysteresis

In the case of ferromagnetic materials there is no linear relationship between the

magnetic flux density B and the magnetic field strength H. The following animation
shows the form taken by the magnetisation curve.

If a field strength H is exerted on a ferromagnet, the ferromagnet reponds differently the

first time it is exposed than it does after repeated magnetisation. Click button 1 to view
the initial magnetisation curve:

Field strength and flux density commence at the zero point

Flux density B builds up along the initial magnetisation curve

As the field strength H grows the magnetic flux density B tends towards a
saturated level

Click button 2 to see what happens when the field is taken away:

After the field strength H returns to zero, there nevertheless remains a residual
magnetism referred to as remanence.

The ferromagnetic material is now a permanent magnet

Click button 3 to see how the flux density B can return to zero:

To get the remaining flux density B to disappear, an opposing coercive field

Hcoercive is required.

Click button 4 to observe an entire hysteresis loop:

Oscillation of the field strength H leads to repeated remagnetisation of the

ferromagnetic material

The initial curve is no longer followed. Instead the flux density B always remains
at some point on the hysteresis loop

Soft and hard magnetic materials

The attibute of being able to maintain a high or low residual magnetism or remanence is
a specific property of a material . A distinction here is drawn between:

Magnetically hard materials

Magnetically soft materials

Click button 1 to observe the properties of a magnetically soft material:

A small remanence (residual magnetism) remains in effect after the magnetic

field has been removed (switched off)

Only a small coercive field strength, i.e. a low field strength of inverse polarity is
needed to eliminate the remanence.

Click button 2 to observe the properties of a magnetically hard material:

A large remanence (residual magnetism) remains in effect after the magnetic

field has been removed (switched off)

High coercive field strength, i.e. a high field strength of inverse polarity is needed
to eliminate the remanence.

Remanence experiment
Expose a ferrite core to a magnetic field and then demonstrate the residual magnetic
field of the core. Subsequently you can repeat the experiment with the polarity reversed.
Set up the following experiment:

Label one side of the iron core with a red pen or a coloured sticker.

Move the ferrite core in and out of the interior of the current-carrying coil,
the red point pointing downwards.

Remove the core and examine it with the magnetic compass needle.

Does the ferrite core maintain magnetic properties after the effect of the magnetic field
has been removed?

There are no traceable magnetic properties, i.e. the core

has no magnetic field.

Correct.

The magnetic needle is clearly deflected by the ferrite

core, i.e. it possesses a magnetic field.

Which pole does the side with the red point constitute?

South pole because it attracts the blue side of the

compass needle.

North pole because it attracts the blue side of the

compass needle.

South pole because it attracts the silver side of the

compass needle.

North pole because it attracts the silver side of the

compass needle.

Correct.

Repeat the experiment and move the ferrite core several times in and out of the currentcarrying coil. This time the red dot should be pointing upwards. Remove the core again
and reexamine it using the compass needle.
Which pole does the side with the red dot now constitute?

South pole because the blue side of the compass needle

is attracted.

North pole because the blue side of the compass needle

is attracted.

South pole because the silver side of the compass needle

is attracted.

North pole because the silver side of the compass needle

is attracted.

Correct.