How can you make an item that is made of magnetic material become a permanent magnet instead of a temporary magnet?

Question

Multiple choice question.

A)
You can leave it in the magnetic field of an actual magnet for a long time.

B)
You can heat it while it is being influenced by a magnetic field.

C)
You can heat it and then let it cool it in a very strong magnetic field.

D)
You can do any of the above.

Answer 1

The correct answer is:

D) You can do any of the above.

Each of the methods described can help in making a magnetic material a permanent magnet:

• A) Leaving it in the magnetic field of an actual magnet can help align its magnetic domains, turning it into a permanent magnet.
• B) Heating the material while it is in a magnetic field can also align the domains as they become more mobile at higher temperatures, leading to permanent magnetization as it cools and retains that alignment.
• C) Heating and then cooling in a strong magnetic field can also align domains effectively, reinforcing permanent magnetization.

Thus, all of the methods can indeed contribute to creating a permanent magnet.