Comprehension
Read the following paragraph and answer the questions given below.
Ferromagnetic substances are those which get strongly magnetized when placed in an external magnetic field. They have strong tendency to move from a region of weak magnetic field to strong magnetic field, that is, they get strongly attracted to a magnet. The individual atoms (or ions or molecules) in a ferromagnetic material possess a dipole moment as in a paramagnetic material. However, they interact with one another in such a way that these spontaneously align themselves in a common direction over a macroscopic volume called domain. Each domain has a net magnetization. Typical domain size is 1 mm and the domain contains about \(10^{11}\) atoms. In the first instant the magnetization varies randomly from domain to domain and there is no bulk magnetization. When we apply an external magnetic field \(B_0\) the domains orient themselves in the direction of \(B_0\) and simultaneously that domain oriented in the direction of \(B_0\) grows in size. We may wonder as to what happens when the external field is removed, in some ferromagnetic materials the magnetization persists. Such materials are called hard magnetic materials of hard magnets. Alnico, an alloy of iron, aluminium, nickel, cobalt and copper is one such material. There is a class of magnetic materials in which the magnetization disappears on removal of the external field. Soft iron is one such material. Such materials are called soft ferromagnetic materials. There are number of elements which are ferromagnetic. Iron, cobalt, Nickel, gadolinium etc. The ferromagnetic property depends on temperature. At high enough temperature a ferromagnet becomes a paramagnet. That domain structure disintegrates with temperature. This disappearance of magnetization with the temperature is gradual.
Question: 1

What will be the effect of temperature on ferromagnets?

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At high temperatures, ferromagnetic materials lose their magnetic properties and become paramagnetic as the alignment of the domains is disrupted by thermal motion.
Updated On: Feb 3, 2026
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Solution and Explanation

The effect of temperature on ferromagnetic materials is profound and gradual. As the temperature increases, the thermal motion of the atoms in the material increases, which disrupts the alignment of the magnetic domains. At low temperatures, ferromagnetic materials exhibit a strong net magnetization due to the alignment of these domains. However, as the temperature rises, the thermal energy competes with the alignment of the domains, causing them to become misaligned.
Step 1: Curie Temperature.
When the temperature reaches a critical value called the Curie temperature, the thermal energy becomes large enough to completely disrupt the alignment of the magnetic domains. At this point, the ferromagnetic material no longer exhibits any bulk magnetization and becomes paramagnetic. In the paramagnetic state, the material no longer has spontaneous magnetization and only aligns with an external magnetic field.
Step 2: Gradual Change.
The transition from ferromagnetic to paramagnetic behavior happens gradually with temperature. As the temperature increases, the ferromagnetic material's magnetization decreases, and once the Curie temperature is surpassed, the material no longer behaves as a ferromagnet. This process is gradual and depends on the specific material.
Step 3: Conclusion.
Thus, the effect of temperature on ferromagnets is that as the temperature increases, their magnetization decreases, and once a certain temperature (Curie temperature) is reached, the material loses its ferromagnetic properties and becomes paramagnetic.
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Question: 2

What are ferromagnetic substances?

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Ferromagnetic materials like iron, cobalt, and nickel exhibit strong magnetic properties due to the alignment of their magnetic dipoles in domains.
Updated On: Feb 3, 2026
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Solution and Explanation

Ferromagnetic substances are materials that exhibit strong magnetic properties. These materials are characterized by their ability to be strongly magnetized in the presence of an external magnetic field. The magnetic properties of ferromagnetic substances arise from the presence of magnetic dipoles in individual atoms or molecules.
Step 1: Magnetic Dipoles and Domain Formation.
Each atom in a ferromagnetic material behaves like a tiny magnet with its own magnetic dipole moment. In the absence of an external magnetic field, these individual magnetic dipoles are oriented randomly within the material. However, due to the interactions between adjacent dipoles, the dipoles spontaneously align themselves in the same direction over macroscopic regions called domains.
Step 2: Alignment and Net Magnetization.
When an external magnetic field is applied, the domains in the material tend to align in the direction of the magnetic field, resulting in a net magnetization within the material. This magnetization is much stronger than in paramagnetic or diamagnetic materials because the domains in ferromagnetic substances can align in the same direction, creating a strong overall magnetic effect.
Step 3: Permanent Magnetization.
In some ferromagnetic materials, even after the external magnetic field is removed, the material retains its magnetization. These materials are known as hard magnetic materials, and they are used to make permanent magnets. In contrast, some ferromagnetic materials lose their magnetization when the external magnetic field is removed. These are known as soft magnetic materials and are commonly used in electromagnets.
Step 4: Conclusion.
Ferromagnetic substances are materials that can be strongly magnetized in the presence of an external magnetic field, and they exhibit spontaneous alignment of magnetic dipoles within domains.
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Question: 3

What is the domain size of ferromagnetic substances?

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Ferromagnetic domains typically range in size from a fraction of a millimeter to a few millimeters, and they contain approximately \(10^{11}\) atoms.
Updated On: Feb 3, 2026
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Solution and Explanation

The domain size of ferromagnetic substances typically ranges from a few micrometers to millimeters. In a ferromagnetic material, the magnetic dipoles of individual atoms or molecules tend to align in the same direction over a macroscopic volume known as a magnetic domain. The size of these domains can vary depending on the material and the conditions, but they are typically on the order of 1 mm.
Step 1: Domain Structure.
Each domain contains approximately \(10^{11}\) atoms, and within each domain, the magnetic dipoles are aligned in the same direction. The alignment of these domains contributes to the overall magnetic properties of the material.
Step 2: Conclusion.
Thus, the typical size of a magnetic domain in ferromagnetic substances is 1 mm, and each domain consists of a large number of aligned atoms that contribute to the net magnetization of the material.
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Question: 4

How many numbers of atoms are there in one domain?

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Each magnetic domain contains a large number of atoms, typically around \(10^{11}\), that are aligned to create a net magnetization.
Updated On: Feb 3, 2026
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Solution and Explanation

Each domain in a ferromagnetic material typically contains approximately \(10^{11}\) atoms. These atoms are magnetically aligned in the same direction, contributing to the overall magnetic moment of the domain.
Step 1: Atomic Alignment.
In ferromagnetic materials, the magnetic dipoles of the atoms within a domain are aligned in the same direction, creating a net magnetization within the domain. The number of atoms in each domain is large enough that the net magnetization becomes significant and can be measured.
Step 2: Conclusion.
Thus, each magnetic domain in ferromagnetic substances contains approximately \(10^{11}\) atoms that are aligned in the same direction, contributing to the material's overall magnetic properties.
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Question: 5

Write any three examples of ferromagnetic substances.

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Iron, cobalt, and nickel are common examples of ferromagnetic materials, which are characterized by strong magnetic properties.
Updated On: Feb 3, 2026
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Solution and Explanation

Three examples of ferromagnetic substances are:
1. Iron (Fe)
2. Cobalt (Co)
3. Nickel (Ni)
Step 1: Characteristics of Ferromagnetic Materials.
These materials are known for their strong magnetic properties. They can be magnetized strongly in the presence of an external magnetic field and can retain their magnetization even after the external field is removed (in some cases).
Step 2: Conclusion.
Thus, iron, cobalt, and nickel are three examples of ferromagnetic substances, all of which exhibit strong magnetic properties due to the alignment of magnetic dipoles within their domains.
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