Q.A paramagnetic sample shows a net magnetisation of 8 Am−1 when placed in an external magnetic field of 0.6 T at a temperature of 4 K. When the same sample is placed in an external magnetic field of 0.2 T at a temperature of 16 K, the magnetisation will be
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🔒 Start your 14-day free trial to unlock the full solution →Concept understanding — Magnetic Materials Magnetization
From a Paperclip to a Magnet: The Intuition
You already know that a magnet can pick up iron nails. But what is actually happening inside that nail when it gets near the magnet? And why does a plastic comb, rubbed on hair, pick up tiny bits of paper — but never iron filings?
The answer lies in magnetization — the process by which a material becomes magnetic.
Think of a piece of iron as a chaotic crowd of tiny compass needles. Each needle is an atomic magnetic moment (a tiny magnet, arising from the spin of electrons). In unmagnetized iron, these needles point in random directions. Their magnetic effects cancel out, so the iron as a whole shows no net magnetism.
Now bring a strong magnet close. Its magnetic field acts like a command: "Line up!" The tiny compass needles inside the iron start rotating, aligning themselves with the external field. The more they align, the stronger the iron's own magnetic field becomes. This alignment is magnetization.
Magnetization is not the same as inducing a current. It is a purely magnetic reorientation of atomic dipoles inside a material.
The Precise Definition
Magnetization (M) is the net magnetic dipole moment per unit volume of a material. It tells you how strongly a material is magnetized — how many tiny atomic magnets are aligned, and in which direction.
If a material has N atoms per unit volume, each with an average magnetic moment μavg, then:
M=Nμavg
The SI unit of M is amperes per metre (A/m). Why? Because a magnetic dipole moment has units of A·m², and dividing by volume (m³) gives A/m.
M=volumetotal magnetic dipole moment
How Magnetization Connects to the Magnetic Field
When a material gets magnetized, it produces its own magnetic field. The total magnetic field B inside the material is the sum of:
- The external applied field H (caused by free currents, like the current in a solenoid)
- The material's response — the magnetization M
The fundamental relation is:
B=μ0(H+M)
where μ0=4π×10−7T⋅m/A is the permeability of free space.
Do not confuse H (magnetic field intensity, or "magnetizing field") with B (magnetic flux density). H is what you apply; M is what the material does; B is the total field you measure.
The Three Kinds of Magnetic Materials
Not all materials respond the same way to an external field. The magnetization M is proportional to H for most materials (at least for small fields):
M=χmH
where χm is the magnetic susceptibility — a dimensionless number that tells you how easily a material magnetizes.
| Material Type | χm | Behaviour | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Diamagnetic | Small and negative (≈−10−5) | Weakly repelled by a magnet; M opposes H | Water, copper, bismuth |
| Paramagnetic | Small and positive (≈10−5 to 10−3) | Weakly attracted; M aligns with H | Aluminium, oxygen gas |
| Ferromagnetic | Large and positive (≫1) | Strongly attracted; M can be huge and persists even after H is removed | Iron, nickel, cobalt |
Why this formula?
Magnetic Materials & Magnetization: Why the Key Formulas Hold
Let's build this from the ground up — starting with what magnetization physically means, then deriving the formulas step by step.
1. What is Magnetization (M)?
Magnetization is the net magnetic dipole moment per unit volume of a material.
- Inside a material, atoms act like tiny magnetic dipoles (due to electron spin and orbital motion).
- Without an external field, these dipoles point randomly → net M=0.
- When an external field H is applied, dipoles align partially → net M=0.
Definition:
M=volumenet magnetic dipole moment
Units: A/m (same as H).
2. The Fundamental Relation: B=μ0(H+M)
This is the master equation linking the three magnetic fields:
- B = magnetic flux density (the total field inside the material)
- H = applied magnetic field (due to free currents)
- M = magnetization (response of the material)
- μ0 = permeability of free space (4π×10−7 H/m)
Why this form?
Step 1: In vacuum, there is no material, so M=0. Then:
B=μ0H
Step 2: Inside a material, the dipoles themselves produce an additional field. The total B is the sum of:
- The field due to free currents (μ0H)
- The field due to bound currents (from aligned dipoles), which is μ0M
Hence:
B=μ0H+μ0M=μ0(H+M)
Key insight: M is not an independent field — it's the material's response to H.
3. Magnetic Susceptibility (χm) and Permeability (μ)
For linear, isotropic, homogeneous materials (most common in exams), magnetization is proportional to the applied field:
M=χmH
- χm = magnetic susceptibility (dimensionless)
- χm>0 for paramagnetic materials
- χm<0 for diamagnetic materials
- χm≫1 for ferromagnetic materials (but not linear!)
Derivation of relative permeability μr:
Substitute M=χmH into the master equation:
B=μ0(H+χmH)=μ0(1+χm)H
Define:
μr=1+χm(relative permeability)
μ=μ0μr(absolute permeability)
Thus:
B=μH
Why this matters: It shows that the material simply scales the applied field by a factor μr.
4. Why χm Has Different Signs (Physical Reasoning)
| Material Type | χm | Why? |
|---|---|---|
| Diamagnetic | χm<0 (small, ~10−5) | Applied field induces opposing dipole moments (Lenz's law at atomic level). M opposes H. |
| Paramagnetic | χm>0 (small, ~10−3) | Permanent atomic dipoles align partially with H. Thermal agitation fights alignment. |
Concept: Magnetic Poles — The magnetisation of a paramagnetic material follows Curie’s law: M∝B/T (for fixed sample and moderate fields).
Reasoning:
-
Curie’s law states M=CTB, where C is the Curie constant for the sample.
-
From the first condition:
8=C⋅40.6⇒C=0.68×4=0.632=3160 A m−1T−1K.
-
For the second condition: …
Using Curie’s law for paramagnetism, magnetisation is proportional to B/T. The new magnetisation is 32 A m−1.
The key to this problem is recognising that paramagnetic materials obey Curie’s law under the conditions given. Curie’s law states that the magnetisation M of a paramagnetic sample is directly proportional to the applied magnetic field B and inversely proportional to the absolute temperature T:
M∝TB
Why does this make sense physically? In a paramagnet, each atom has a tiny magnetic moment. Without an external field, thermal agitation keeps these moments randomly oriented — no net magnetisation. When you apply a field, it tries to align the moments, but temperature works against it, jumbling them up. So a stronger field gives more alignment (higher M), while a higher temperature gives less alignment (lower M). The ratio B/T captures this competition neatly.
Now, the problem gives us two different situations for the same sample. Since the material and its properties (like the number of atoms per volume) don’t change, the constant of proportionality in Curie’s law stays the same. That means we can write:
B1/T1M1=B2/T2M2
or more simply:
M2M1=B2/T2B1/T1
Let’s work through the numbers step by step.
-
List what we know.
First case: M1=8 A m−1, B1=0.6 T, T1=4 K.
Second case: B2=0.2 T, T2=16 K, and M2 is what we need.
-
Set up the proportion.
From Curie’s law: M∝B/T, so for the same sample:
M2M1=B2/T2B1/T1
This is valid because the proportionality constant cancels out.
- Plug in the numbers.
M28=0.2/160.6/4
Simplify each fraction inside:
40.6=0.15,160.2=0.0125 …
Method: Solving Ratio Problems With Curie's Law
Use this technique whenever a paramagnetic sample's magnetisation is given under one set of (B,T) conditions and you must find it under a different set for the same sample.
Steps
Step 1: Write Curie's law as a proportionality
M=CTB
where C (the Curie constant) depends only on the sample itself, never on the applied field or temperature.
Step 2: Form a ratio to eliminate the unknown constant
Since C is identical in both situations for the same sample,
M2M1=B2/T2B1/T1
You never need to compute C itself — taking the ratio cancels it out.
Step 3: Substitute the known values and simplify
Plug in B1,T1,M1 and B2,T2; reduce each B/T fraction separately first, then take the ratio of the two fractions before solving. …
Showing the 12 most recent of 25 on this concept.
- AP EAPCET 2026Set eng-2026-05-12-AN1 markMCQQ.If χ is the magnetic susceptibility, μ, μ0 and μr are absolute, free space and relative permeabilities respectively, then (A) μ=μr(1+χ) (B) μ=μ0(1+χ) (C) μr=1−χ (D) μ=μ0μr(1−χ)
›Reveal solutionSolution
The standard magnetism relations μr=1+χ and μ=μ0μr combine directly to give μ=μ0(1+χ).
Concept and Intuition
Magnetic susceptibility χ measures how strongly a material magnetizes in response to a field; relative permeability μr measures how much the material's absolute permeability exceeds that of free space. These two descriptions of the same magnetic response are linked by the identity μr=1+χ, and absolute permeability is simply μr scaled by the free-space value μ0.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Definition of relative permeability: μr=μ0μ.
- Standard relation between susceptibility and relative permeability: μr=1+χ.
- Combine: μ0μ=1+χ⟹μ=μ0(1+χ). …
- AP EAPCET 2026Set eng-2026-05-14-FN1 markMCQQ.A material satisfies the relation μ0(H+M)=0, where H and M are magnetic intensity and magnetization, respectively; then the material is (A) Nonmagnetic (B) Paramagnetic (C) Ferromagnetic (D) Diamagnetic
›Reveal solutionSolution
This tests recognizing that B=μ0(H+M)=0 with M=−H corresponds to diamagnetic behaviour (magnetization opposing the field). Answer: Diamagnetic.
Concept and Intuition
Inside any magnetic material, B=μ0(H+M). The given condition forces B=0, meaning the material's own magnetization M exactly cancels the applied field's contribution (M=−H). Materials whose induced magnetization opposes the external field (negative susceptibility, χ<0) are diamagnetic; here that opposition is complete, which is the hallmark (idealised limit) of diamagnetism, distinguishing it from paramagnetic (M aligns with H, χ>0, small positive) and ferromagnetic (M strongly aligns with H, large positive χ) materials.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Start from B=μ0(H+M), the general relation between B, H, and M.
- Given: μ0(H+M)=0⇒H+M=0⇒M=−H.
- Since M is opposite in sign to H (magnetization opposes the applied field), the susceptibility χ=M/H=−1, i.e. negative. …
- AP EAPCET 2026Set eng-2026-05-13-AN1 markMCQQ.A magnetic material placed in a magnetic field of intensity H=1000 Am−1 has magnetization M=2 Am−1. The magnetic susceptibility, and type of material is (A) 2×10−3, Diamagnetic (B) 2×10−3, paramagnetic (C) 4×10−3, Ferromagnetic (D) 2000, Ferromagnetic
›Reveal solutionSolution
Magnetic susceptibility is χ=M/H. A small positive value like 2×10−3 identifies the material as paramagnetic (diamagnetic would be small and negative; ferromagnetic would be very large, often ∼102–105).
Concept and Intuition
Susceptibility measures how readily a material magnetizes in response to an applied field. Diamagnetic materials weakly oppose the field (χ small and negative). Paramagnetic materials weakly align with it (χ small and positive, typically 10−5 to 10−3). Ferromagnetic materials show enormous positive χ (hundreds to thousands).
Step-by-Step Solution
- χ=HM=1000 Am−12 Am−1=2×10−3. …
- AP EAPCET 2026Set eng-2026-05-15-AN1 markMCQQ.The temperature at which the susceptibility of nickel becomes 0.5 times its susceptibility at a temperature of 460∘C is (Curie temperature of nickel is 360∘C) (A) 560 K (B) 833 K (C) 733 K (D) 760 K
›Reveal solutionSolution
The Curie–Weiss law for a ferromagnet above its Curie point gives χ∝1/(T−TC); solving for the new temperature gives 833 K.
Concept and Intuition
Above the Curie temperature TC, a ferromagnetic material behaves like a paramagnet, and its susceptibility obeys the Curie–Weiss law: χ=T−TCC, where C is the material's Curie constant. Susceptibility keeps falling as temperature rises further above TC.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Convert to Kelvin: TC=360+273=633 K; T1=460+273=733 K.
- χ1=T1−TCC=733−633C=100C.
- We want T2 such that χ2=0.5χ1=200C.
- So T2−TC=200⇒T2=200+633=833 K.
Common Mistakes …
- AP EAPCET 2026Set eng-2026-05-18-FN1 markMCQQ.A bulk magnetic material has volume of 2 m3 and its magnetization is found to be 2 A m−1, then the magnetic moment of the bulk material is (A) 1 Am2 (B) 4 Am2 (C) 2 Am2 (D) 8 Am2
›Reveal solutionSolution
Magnetization is magnetic moment per unit volume: M=m/V, so m=MV. Answer: 4 Am2.
Concept and Intuition
Magnetization M describes how strongly a bulk material is magnetized, defined as the net magnetic dipole moment per unit volume, M=m/V. It's directly analogous to how polarization is dipole moment per unit volume in dielectrics. So the total magnetic moment of the whole sample is simply magnetization times volume.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Definition: M=Vm, so m=M×V.
- Given M=2 Am−1, V=2 m3.
- m=2×2=4 Am2.
Common Mistakes …
- AP EAPCET 2025Set eng-2025-05-23-FN1 markMCQQ.Materials suitable for permanent magnets should have (A) low retentivity and low coercivity (B) low retentivity and high coercivity (C) high retentivity and low coercivity (D) high retentivity and high coercivity
›Reveal solutionSolution
Permanent magnet materials need both high retentivity (to stay strongly magnetized) and high coercivity (to resist demagnetization) — steel is the classic example, unlike soft iron used for electromagnets.
Concept and Intuition
Retentivity is the magnetization a material keeps after the external field is removed; coercivity is the reverse field needed to bring that magnetization to zero. A permanent magnet should hold a strong field indefinitely (high retentivity) and not be easily demagnetized by small stray fields, vibration, or temperature changes (high coercivity). This corresponds to a hysteresis loop that is tall (high Br) and wide (high Hc) — materials like steel and alnico. In contrast, electromagnet cores (soft iron) want high retentivity is not needed; instead they need low retentivity/low coercivity so they can be easily magnetized and demagnetized as the current is switched.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Identify what is needed for a permanent magnet: it must stay magnetized after the magnetizing field is removed → requires high retentivity.
- It must also resist losing its magnetism due to small opposing fields, mechanical shocks, or temperature → requires high coercivity. …
- AP EAPCET 2025Set ap-2025-05-20-AN1 markMCQQ.If the magnetisation of a material is M and the magnetic field in the material is B, then the magnetic intensity is (μ0 - permeability of free space) (A) μ0B (B) μ0B−μ0M (C) μ0BM (D) Bμ0M
›Reveal solutionSolution
A direct rearrangement of the fundamental relation between magnetic field, magnetisation and magnetic intensity inside matter.
Concept and Intuition
Inside a magnetized material, the total magnetic field B has two contributions: the field due to free currents (captured by H) and the field due to the material's own magnetisation M. The relation B=μ0(H+M) ties all three together.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Start from B=μ0(H+M).
- Rearranging: H+M=μ0B.
- H=μ0B−M=μ0B−μ0M. …
- AP EAPCET 2025Set eng-2025-05-24-FN1 markMCQQ.A sample of paramagnetic salt contains 2×1024 atomic dipoles each of dipole moment 1.5×10−23 J T−1. The sample is placed under homogeneous magnetic field of 0.6 T and cooled to a temperature 4.2 K. The degree of magnetic saturation achived is 20%. Then total dipole moment of the sample for a magnetic field of 0.9 T and a temperature of 2.8 K is (A) 4.5 J T−1 (B) 13.5 J T−1 (C) 0.64 J T−1 (D) 7 J T−1
›Reveal solutionSolution
Curie's law (M∝B/T) scales the dipole moment between the two states; the result is 13.5 JT−1.
Concept and Intuition
In a paramagnetic sample well below full saturation, thermal agitation competes with the aligning magnetic field, and Curie's law says the net magnetic dipole moment is proportional to B/T — stronger field aligns more dipoles, higher temperature randomizes them more. The 'degree of saturation' tells us what fraction of the theoretical maximum (all dipoles perfectly aligned) is actually achieved at a given (B,T).
Step-by-Step Solution
- Maximum possible (fully saturated) dipole moment: Msat=Np=(2×1024)(1.5×10−23)=30 J/T.
- At B1=0.6T, T1=4.2K, the sample achieves 20% saturation: M1=0.20×30=6 J/T.
- Curie's law: M∝TB, so M1M2=B1/T1B2/T2=0.6/4.20.9/2.8. …
- AP EAPCET 2025Set eng-2025-05-26-AN1 markMCQQ.A sample of a ferromagnetic iron in the shape of a cube of side 1.0 μm contains 8.7×1028 atoms per cubic metre and the magnetic dipole moment of each iron atom is 9.3×10−24 Am2. Then the maximum possible magnetic dipole moment (in Am2) of the sample is nearly (A) 8.1×10−12 (B) 8.1×10−14 (C) 81×10−14 (D) 81×10−16
›Reveal solutionSolution
The maximum possible dipole moment of a ferromagnetic sample occurs when every atomic dipole is perfectly aligned (saturation); here it works out to 81×10−14 A m2.
Concept and Intuition
In a ferromagnetic material, atomic magnetic moments can be aligned in the same direction by an external field (magnetic saturation). The maximum possible dipole moment of the whole sample is simply the number of atoms times each atom's dipole moment, since in that ideal aligned state nothing cancels.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Volume of the cube: V=(1.0×10−6m)3=1.0×10−18m3.
- Number of atoms in the sample: N=n×V=8.7×1028×1.0×10−18=8.7×1010.
- Maximum dipole moment: Mmax=Nμ=8.7×1010×9.3×10−24. …
- AP EAPCET 2025Set eng-2025-05-27-FN1 markMCQQ.If the given figure shows the relation between magnetic field (B-along y-axis) and magnetic intensity (H-along x-axis) of a ferromagnetic material, then the point that represents coercivity of the material is [FIGURE] (a B-H hysteresis loop: B on the vertical axis, H on the horizontal axis; the loop passes through P in the upper-right (positive B and H), Q on the positive B-axis where H=0, R on the negative H-axis where B=0 to the left of the origin O, U on the positive H-axis where B=0 to the right of the origin O, T on the negative B-axis where H=0, and S in the lower-left (negative B and H); an arrow on the upper part of the loop shows the traversal direction from S/lower branch up through Q towards P) (A) P (B) Q (C) R (D) S
›Reveal solutionSolution
This tests reading coercivity and retentivity off a hysteresis (B–H) loop; the answer is (C) point R.
Concept and Intuition
On a B–H hysteresis loop, two special sets of points are commonly asked about: retentivity (residual magnetism when H=0, found where the loop crosses the vertical B-axis) and coercivity (the reverse field needed to demagnetise the material completely, i.e. bring B to zero, found where the loop crosses the horizontal H-axis). Coming down from positive saturation (P), the material retains a positive B at H=0 (point Q, retentivity), and needs a negative H to bring B to zero — that crossing point is the coercivity.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Starting from positive saturation at P and decreasing H, the loop crosses the B-axis (at H=0) at point Q — this gives the retentivity (residual field).
- Continuing to decrease H into negative values, B falls to zero at the point where the loop crosses the H-axis on the negative side — this is point R.
- By definition, coercivity is the magnitude of this reverse field required to demagnetise the sample, i.e., it is represented by point R. …
- AP EAPCET 2024Set ap-2024-05-16-AN1 markMCQQ.Relative permeability (μr) of a sample is given by 1<μr<1+ϵ, where ϵ is a small positive number. Then nature of the sample is (A) Diamagnetic material (B) Paramagnetic material (C) Ferro magnetic material (D) Super conducting material
›Reveal solutionSolution
A relative permeability just above 1 is characteristic of paramagnetism; diamagnets sit just below 1, ferromagnets are far above 1, and superconductors have μr=0.
Concept and Intuition
Relative permeability μr=1+χ, where χ is the magnetic susceptibility.
- Diamagnetic substances: χ is small and negative, so μr is slightly less than 1.
- Paramagnetic substances: χ is small and positive, so μr is slightly greater than 1 (a value like 1+ϵ with small ϵ>0).
- Ferromagnetic substances: χ is large and positive (hundreds to thousands), so μr≫1.
- Ideal superconductors: perfect diamagnets, χ=−1, so μr=0 (Meissner effect).
Step-by-Step Solution
- Given: 1<μr<1+ϵ with ϵ small and positive.
- This means μr is only marginally above 1 — a small positive susceptibility.
- Small positive susceptibility with μr close to (but above) 1 is exactly the paramagnetic regime. …
- AP EAPCET 2024Set ap-2024-05-17-FN1 markMCQQ.A super conductor exhibits (A) Ferro magnetism (B) Para magnetism (C) Dia magnetism (D) Ferri magnetism
›Reveal solutionSolution
The Meissner effect makes a superconductor a perfect diamagnet, expelling all internal magnetic field. Answer: (C) Dia magnetism.
Concept and Intuition
Below its critical temperature, a superconductor doesn't merely have zero resistance — it also actively expels any externally applied magnetic field from its interior (the Meissner effect), so that the magnetic field inside is exactly zero. This is the signature of a perfect diamagnet (magnetic susceptibility χ=−1), since diamagnetism is characterized by an induced magnetization that opposes and cancels the applied field.
Step-by-Step Solution
- Recall the defining property of superconductivity below Tc: zero electrical resistance and the Meissner effect (expulsion of magnetic flux from the bulk).
- A material with χ=−1 (magnetic field completely cancelled inside) is, by definition, a perfect diamagnet. …
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