Question

Which of the following statements are correct?

• A. Steel has a very low retentivity
• B. Retentivity is the ability to retain the magnetism
• C. Soft iron has a very high susceptibility
• D. Wood has a very high susceptibility

Answer 1

Answer: (B), (C)

The correct options are
B

Retentivity is the ability to retain the magnetism

C

Soft iron has a very high susceptibility

Susceptibility is the ability of an object to get magnetized under the influence of an external magnetic field. Retentivity is the ability to retain the magnetism acquired. Wood is a non-magnetic material so it cannot be magnetized. Soft iron has a very high susceptibility and a low retentivity. Because of this, it is used in electromagnets. However, steel has very low susceptibility but very high retentivity. So, steel is used in the making of permanent magnets.