Magnetización

Magnetización refers to the process by which a material becomes magnetic. This can occur naturally, such as with some minerals, or it can be induced by an external magnetic field. Materials that can be magnetized are called ferromagnetic and include iron, nickel, and cobalt. When these materials are placed in a magnetic field, their internal magnetic domains, which are tiny regions with aligned magnetic moments, tend to align with the external field. This alignment is what gives the material its overall magnetic property.

The degree to which a material becomes magnetized is quantified by its magnetization vector, often denoted by M. This vector represents the magnetic dipole moment per unit volume of the material. When a material is placed in a magnetic field H, the total magnetic field B inside the material is given by B = μ₀(H + M), where μ₀ is the permeability of free space. Different materials respond differently to an applied magnetic field, leading to various magnetic behaviors like ferromagnetism, paramagnetism, and diamagnetism. Ferromagnetic materials exhibit strong magnetization and can retain it even after the external field is removed, forming permanent magnets. Paramagnetic materials are weakly attracted to magnetic fields, and their magnetization disappears when the field is removed. Diamagnetic materials are weakly repelled by magnetic fields. The study of magnetization is fundamental to understanding electromagnetism and has numerous applications in technology, including data storage, motors, and medical imaging.