Magnetização

Magnetização refers to the process by which a material becomes magnetic. This can occur through various methods, including exposure to an external magnetic field or by applying an electric current. When a material is magnetized, its constituent atoms, which possess magnetic moments, align themselves in a particular direction. This alignment creates a net magnetic dipole moment for the material, resulting in the overall magnetic behavior.

Materials that can be easily magnetized and retain their magnetism after the external field is removed are called ferromagnetic. Examples include iron, nickel, and cobalt. Paramagnetic materials become weakly magnetic in the presence of an external field but lose their magnetism when the field is removed. Diamagnetic materials are weakly repelled by a magnetic field, and their magnetic properties are generally very subtle.

The strength of magnetization is quantified by the magnetization vector, M, which represents the magnetic dipole moment per unit volume. This vector indicates both the magnitude and direction of the magnetic alignment within the material. Understanding magnetization is crucial in many technological applications, such as the creation of permanent magnets, electromagnets, magnetic storage devices, and various sensors. The process of demagnetization, the opposite of magnetization, is also important for controlling magnetic properties.