Experiment 13

Hysterisis loop for a ferromagnetic material (M–B curve)

Apparatus:

Two solenoid coils, S and C, ferromagnetic specimen rod, reversible key (R), ammeter,
magnetometer, battery, solenoid, rheostat and transformer for demagnetizing set up.

Purpose of experiment:

i) To study the magnetization (M) of a ferromagnetic material in the presence of a

magnetic field B and to plot the hysterisis (M vs. B) curve .

ii) To calculate the retentivity and coercivity of the material.

Basic Methodology:

A ferromagnetic rod is magnetized by placing it in the magnetic field of a solenoid. The

magnetized rod causes a deflection ( ) in a magnetometer .The deflection is recorded as
the current in the solenoid (I) is varied over a range of positive and negative values .

I. Introduction:

I.1 The magnetic field of a solenoid at a point on its axis is

B= O n I ----------------------------(1)
-7 2 2
where O = 4 x 10 Nm / A is the magnetic permeability of vacuum , n is the
number of turns per unit length in the solenoid and I is the current in the solenoid .

I.2. The specimen rod is placed along the axis of the solenoid acquires a magnetization
M along its axis. (Magnetization is defined as the magnetic dipole moment per unit
volume). The magnetic dipole moment ‘m’ of the rod is
m = M (l ) --------------------------(2)
where l = length of the rod and = cross-sectional area of the rod .

I.3. The magnetic field produced by the

rod at the position of the
magnetometer (r) is
2mr
Bm = O ------------(3)
4 l2
r −
2

4
I.4. The apparatus is aligned so that the fig 1
horizontal component of the earth’ s magnetic field BE , which is along South – North
direction , is perpendicular to the axis of the rod (which is along the East –West
direction ). The magnetometer needle aligns along the resultant magnetic field
making an angle with BE as in fig 2.

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 Clearly,
BM
Tan = B M = B E Tan -------
BE
(4)

I.5 Using eqs 2, 3 & 4 we can write

M=
4 (r 2
− l2 / 4 )
2

B E Tan -------
O (2 l ) r
(5)
Hence M ∝ Tan . Also from eq 1, B∝ I .
Therefore a plot of Tan vs. I reproduces the fig .2
features of M vs. B curve .

I.6 Hysterisis:

A ferromagnetic material whose atoms behave like

magnetic dipoles produced by the spins of unpaired
electrons. Domains form in the interior of the
material with in which the dipoles align in a given
direction but the domains themselves randomly
oriented. (Fig 3)

In the presence of an external magnetic field the

different domain moments tend to align producing a
net magnetization in the direction of the
magnetic field.

The variation of the magnetization M as the magnetic

field B is varied gives rise to a characteristic curve
called the hysterisis loop. Figure 4 shows a typical
curve obtained. (The axes are taken to be Tan & I as
is to be done in the experiment). As the magnetic
field is increased the magnetization of the sample increases as more and more
domains align along the direction of the magnetic field. With further increase in B,
the magnetization M saturates to a maximum value (point b). If the current I (field B)
is decreased the magnetization M decreases.

Fig 4

When the current is made zero (point c ) the magnetization M however does not fall
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 to zero. At this point the material has a residual magnetization and behaves like a
permanent magnet. To make the magnetization zero (point d) requires a non-zero
current in the reverse direction. As I is increased in the reverse direction, M saturates
to a maximum negative value (point e). Further increase in the current brings
the magnetization to zero (point g) and eventually to saturation (point b).

I.7 Retentivity & Coercivity:

Retentivity (MO) is the residual magnetization in the sample when the external
magnetic field is zero .
This is calculated as

MO =
4 (r 2
)2
−l2 / 4
BE Tan ------------------------(6)
O
O 2l r
cf
Where, Tan O = (c & f are the points in the graph, fig 4) ---------------(7)
2
Coercivity BO is the external magnetic field required to reduce the residual
magnetization in the sample to zero.
dg
IO = ; BO = O n IO -------------------------------(8)
2
(d & g are the points in the graph , fig 4 )

II Set-up and procedure:

1. Complete the wiring of the apparatus according to the circuit diagram, fig 5

2. Alignment of apparatus:
Rotate the dial of the magnetometer until 00 – 00 position is aligned with the axis
of the solenoid. Rotate the wooden arm, containing the solenoid, magnetometer
and compensating coil, until the magnetic pointer coincides with the 00 – 00
position. In this position the wooden arm is along the E – W position .The
horizontal component of earth’ s magnetic field BE (along S-N direction) is then
perpendicular to the wooden arm.

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3. Demagnetization of specimen:

Complete the wiring of the

demagnetizing apparatus according
to circuit Fig 6. Insert specimen
rod in the solenoid and vary the
AC current in the solenoid using
rheostat. This procedure should
take 2-5 minutes.

4 Positioning of the Compensating

Coil:
Pass current (say 1A) through the
coils S & C. Vary the position of C
along the wooden arm until the deflection of the needle is zero. Fig 6

The magnetic field of solenoid S is then nullified (at the position of

magnetometer)
by the magnetic field of C .

5. Begin Measurement:

i). To begin with, the current in the solenoid should be switched off.

ii). Insert specimen rod so that it’ s leading tip is at the edge of the solenoid.
(Note: There should be no deflection of the needle at this point .If deflection
is observed, repeat step 3 for demagnetizing rod).

iii). Keep the reversing key R in a position so that current flows in a given
direction.
The rheostat position should correspond to maximum resistance.

iv). Switch on the current.

(Caution: From now on the current variation sequence has to be followed
strictly Any change or back tracking of measurement will lead to incorrect
results).
v). Vary the current using the rheostat from 0A – 1.5A and back 1.5A – 0A
insteps of 0.1A and note the deflections 1 & 2 for each setting of current.
(Caution: To get strictly zero current you will have to switch off the battery)

vi). Reverse the position of the reversible key R and vary the current in the
reverse direction 0A – 1.5A ,and back 1.5A – 0A .Note the deflections 1 &
2

vii). Reverse the position of the key R and vary the current from 0 – 1.5A. Again
note the deflections 1 & 2

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III. Exercises and Via Questions:

1. Define paramagnetic, diamagnetic & ferromagnetic substances. Give one

example of each.

2. Why the M vs. B curve called the hysterisis curve?

3. Derive eq (6).

4. What is the need to align the solenoid along the E – W direction?

5. Will the hysterisis curve be different if this alignment were not done? If yes
why?
6. How does the demagnetization setup demagnetize the rod?

7. It is said that dropping the specimen rod on a hard surface also serves to remove
any small residual magnetization . Is it true ? If so give reason.

8. Draw a small figure showing how the hysterisis curve would develop over many
cycles of the current.

9. How would the retentivity & coercivity change with temperature? Do you think
that they should depend on the geometry of the sample?

10. Identify the main sources of error in your experiment.

References:

1. “ Fundamentals of Physics” , D.Halliday, R.Resnick and J.Walker, 6th edition,

John-Wiley & sons, New York 2001.

2. “ Physics” , M.Alonso and E.J.Finn, Addison-Wiley, 1992.

3. “ Introduction to Electrodynamics” , D.J.Griffiths ,PHI, 1998.

Observations and results

1. Distance, r = __________________________ m

2. Length of specimen, l = __________________ m

3. No. of turns per unit length of solenoid , n = 1600 turns/m .

4. Area of cross-section of rod , S = 1.84 x 10-5 m2 .

5. Horizontal component of earth’ s magnetic field ,BE = 3.53 x 10-5 T .

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 Table : Current through S & deflection
Current Deflection (forward current) Deflection (reverse current) Deflection (forward current)
I (A) Degree. Degree
1 2 avg Tan 1 2 avg Tan 1 2 avg Tan
0
0.1
0.2
0.3
0.4
0.5
0.6
0.7
0.8
0.9
1.0
1.1
1.2
1.3
1.4
1.5
1.4
1.3.
1.2
1.1
1.0
0.9
0.8
0.7
0.6
0.5
0.4
0.3
0.2
0.1
0

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Calculations:

1. Attach graph of Tanθ vs. I.

2. cf = _____________________

dg = ____________________

3. Calculation of retentivity MO :

Calculation of coercivity BO :

Results:

Retentivity MO = _______________

Coercivity BO = ________________

(One graph paper required).

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