Question

The type of magnetism utilized in permanent magnets is:

• A. Diamagnetism
• B. Paramagnetism
• C. Ferromagnetism
• D. Ferrimagnetism

Hint:

Permanent magnets rely on ferromagnetism — the only type of magnetism where atomic moments align and stay aligned even after the field is gone.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Ferromagnetism is the strongest type of magnetism and is responsible for the behavior of materials that can be permanently magnetized, such as iron, cobalt, and nickel. In ferromagnetic materials, the atomic magnetic moments align spontaneously in the same direction even without an external magnetic field. This alignment creates a strong net magnetic moment across the material.
This property allows ferromagnetic materials to retain their magnetization, which is why they are used in the manufacturing of permanent magnets. When placed in a magnetic field, these materials become magnetized and retain their magnetism even after the external field is removed.
In contrast, diamagnetism is a very weak effect seen in all materials and opposes the applied magnetic field, but it disappears once the field is removed. Paramagnetism involves temporary alignment of magnetic moments with an external field, but the effect is weak and lost immediately after the field is removed. Ferrimagnetism, though similar to ferromagnetism, involves unequal and opposing magnetic moments and is typically seen in ceramic magnets like ferrites, which are less commonly used for strong permanent magnets.
Therefore, the correct answer is ferromagnetism, which is the principle behind the operation of most strong and permanent magnets.