A magnetically soft material is placed in a strong magnetic field.

Question

What is the most likely outcome?

It will become a permanent magnet because the domains will remain aligned.
It will become a temporary magnet because the domains will remain aligned.
It will become a permanent magnet because the domains will easily realign.
It will become a temporary magnet because the domains will easily realign.

Answer 1

The most likely outcome is: It will become a temporary magnet because the domains will easily realign.

Magnetically soft materials have the property that their magnetic domains can easily align with an external magnetic field, but they do not retain this alignment once the external field is removed. This behavior contrasts with magnetically hard materials, which are designed to retain their magnetization and become permanent magnets.