What is the Definition of Magnetic Domain?
Did you know that it is possible to make a magnet out of a metal that doesn't have a magnetic domain to begin with? In this article, we take a closer look at what magnetic domain is, how it affects the atoms in a piece of metal and why it is used.
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Significance
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Magnetic domain is the term used to describe when the magnetic field of a group of atoms become magnetically aligned. Each atom in a piece of non-magnetic metal is susceptible to becoming a magnetic domain. When a metal is not naturally magnetized, the atoms are pointing in various directions with no cohesion. When the atoms become aligned, or all pointing in the same direction, the metal becomes magnetized.
Effects
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Very powerful magnets have the ability to alter the magnetic domains of lesser metals. All you have to do is rub the magnet over the metal a couple of times, and the metal's atoms become aligned and magnetized. Over time, the atoms will revert back to their original haphazard directional design, causing the metal to lose its magnetic properties.
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History
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Magnetic domain was discovered by the French physicist, Pierre-Ernest Weiss in 1907. Weiss uncovered that in certain materials, the atoms were separated into "domains." In most metals that were not naturally magnetic, Weiss learned that each domain featured a group of atoms that pointed in different directions in comparison to other domains. When all domains were systematically oriented the same, magnetic properties were achieved.
Considerations
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Materials comprised of non-metallic atoms, like wood or plastic, are unable to become magnetized. As the magnet is passed over these materials, the atoms do not align themselves. They remain randomly oriented.
Not all metals can be magnetized. Copper is one example.
The act of dropping a magnet can cause its atoms to become disoriented, therefore, resulting in a magnet of diminished value.
Theories/Speculation
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Magnetic domains can be viewed in a number of different ways, but the most common is with the Kerr microscope in what is known as the magneto-optic Kerr effect. These magnetic domains are generally quite large, with a range of between 25 and 100 micrometers. Additionally, domains are not uniformally-shaped, as they can be viewable in a wide assortment of shapes, sizes and dimensions.
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