Question

Explain susceptibility and retentivity.
A student was given a random strip of a metal that is to be made into a magnet.
Explain the properties of the metal strip in terms of magnetic susceptibility and retentivity, if it to be made into a:

1. Temporary magnet
2. Permanent magnet

Answer 1

Magnetic susceptibility: It is the ability of the material to get magnetised. The higher the suceptibility, the easier it is to magnetise the material.
Magnetic retentivity: It is the ability of the material to retain the acquired magnetism. Higher the retentivity, the longer it retains the magnetism.

1. Temporary magnet: If the metal is to be used as a temporary magnet, it should have higher susceptibility and lower retentivity.
2. Permanent magnet: For the metal to be used as a permanent magnet, it should have higher retentivity and lower susceptibility .