Magnetic Field Intensity h

Definition

Magnetic field intensity, denoted as 'h', is a measure of the strength and direction of a magnetic field in a given region. It is defined as the amount of magnetomotive force per unit length in the medium and plays a crucial role in understanding how materials respond to external magnetic fields, especially during magnetization.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Magnetic field intensity 'h' is expressed in amperes per meter (A/m), indicating the strength of the magnetic field produced by electric currents.
2. 'h' is related to the magnetization 'M' and the magnetic flux density 'B' through the equation: $$B = \\mu_0 h + M$$, where $$\\mu_0$$ is the permeability of free space.
3. In a vacuum, the magnetic field intensity 'h' is equal to the magnetic flux density 'B' divided by the permeability of free space: $$h = B / \\mu_0$$.
4. The direction of 'h' corresponds to the direction of the magnetic force experienced by a positive test charge moving in that field, following the right-hand rule.
5. The concept of 'h' becomes especially important when dealing with ferromagnetic materials, where the relationship between 'h', 'B', and 'M' can vary significantly due to their unique response to external fields.

Review Questions

• How does the concept of magnetic field intensity 'h' relate to magnetization in materials?
  • 'h' serves as the driving factor for magnetization in materials. When an external magnetic field is applied, it influences how much a material can become magnetized, which is quantified by 'M'. The interaction between 'h' and 'M' ultimately determines how strong the resulting magnetic effect will be within a substance, showcasing their interdependence.
• Discuss how changes in magnetic field intensity 'h' affect magnetic flux density 'B' and what implications this has for material behavior.
  • As magnetic field intensity 'h' increases, it typically results in an increase in magnetic flux density 'B', as described by the equation $$B = \\mu_0 h + M$$. This means that for materials with higher permeability, even small increases in 'h' can lead to significant changes in 'B'. Consequently, understanding this relationship allows for predicting how different materials will react under varying intensities of applied fields.
• Evaluate how the properties of materials influence their magnetization response to an applied magnetic field intensity 'h'.
  • The response of materials to an applied magnetic field intensity 'h' is significantly affected by their intrinsic properties like permeability and magnetization capacity. Ferromagnetic materials exhibit strong magnetization due to their domain structures aligning under 'h', whereas paramagnetic materials show weaker responses. Understanding these distinctions is vital for applications such as electromagnets and transformers, where tailored material properties are crucial for efficiency.

Related terms

Magnetization (M): The vector measure of the magnetic moment per unit volume of a material, indicating how much a material becomes magnetized in response to an applied magnetic field.

Magnetic Flux Density (B): A measure of the density of magnetic field lines in a given area, representing how many magnetic field lines pass through a unit area perpendicular to the direction of the magnetic field.

Permeability (μ): The property of a material that indicates how easily it can become magnetized when exposed to a magnetic field, influencing both magnetic field intensity and magnetic flux density.