THE EFFECT OF

TEMPERATURE ON
THE STRENGTH OF A
MAGNET

SUBMITTED TO ALL INDIA SENIOR

SECONDARY EXAMINATION FOR
PHYSICS (042) MKVVIV
2024-2025

NAME: ISHIKA PARASHAR

CLASS: 12 B
TABLE OF CONTENTS
• Theory of Magnetism
• Types of Magnetism
• Effect of Temperature on Ferromagnetic Materials
• Magnetic Susceptibility
• Curie Temperature and its Importance
• Magnetic Domains
• Basic Principles of Magnetic behaviour
• Experimental Setup
• Materials Used in the Experiment
• Procedure for Experiment
• Observations and Data Recording
• Heat and Cooling Methods
• Effect of Heating on Magnetism
• Effect of Cooling on Magnetism
• Curie Temperature and Loss of Magnetism
• Magnetic Field Measurement Methods
• Role of Temperature in Industrial Magnetism
• Real-World Examples of Temperature Effects on
Magnetism
• Results and Analysis
• Graphical Representation of Data
• Conclusion
• References and Bibliography
THEORY OF MAGNETISM
Magnetism is a fundamental force of nature, closely related to
electricity. It arises due to the motion of electric charges,
primarily the movement of electrons within atoms. At the
atomic level, electrons possess an inherent property called
spin, which generates a tiny magnetic moment. In most
materials, these magnetic moments cancel each other out due
to random electron orientations. However, in magnetic
materials, such as iron, cobalt, and nickel, the magnetic
moments of many electrons align in the same direction,
creating a net magnetic field.

Magnetic Fields and Their Creation

A magnetic field is a region of space around a magnet where

magnetic forces can be observed. It is represented by magnetic
field lines that emerge from the north pole of a magnet and
enter the south pole. These lines indicate the direction and
strength of the magnetic force. The magnetic field is produced
by the motion of electrons, specifically through two
mechanisms:

• Electron Spin: Electrons have a property called spin,

which generates a small magnetic moment. When many
electrons' spins align, their magnetic fields combine to
produce a stronger overall magnetic field in ferromagnetic
materials.
• Orbital Motion of Electrons: Electrons orbit the nucleus
of an atom, and this movement also produces a magnetic
field. In materials where many electron orbits align, such
as in ferromagnetic materials, these individual atomic
magnetic fields combine to create a larger, macroscopic
magnetic field.
Atomic and Molecular Interactions

The magnetic behaviour of materials is governed by the

alignment of electron spins and orbits within atoms or
molecules. In ferromagnetic materials, the spins of electrons
align in the same direction, even without an external magnetic
field, leading to strong, permanent magnetization.
Antiferromagnetic and ferrimagnetic materials have
opposite electron spin alignments, resulting in weaker overall
magnetization. In contrast, paramagnetic materials have
randomly aligned electron spins and only show magnetism
when exposed to an external field.
TYPES OF MAGNETISM
• Ferromagnetism: Ferromagnetic materials like iron,
cobalt, and nickel exhibit strong magnetic properties due
to the alignment of their atomic magnetic moments. In
these materials, electrons’ magnetic moments (due to
their spin and orbital motion) tend to align in the same
direction within small regions called magnetic domains.
Even without an external magnetic field, these domains
remain aligned, leading to a net macroscopic magnetic
field. This is why ferromagnetic materials can retain
magnetism permanently once magnetized. For example, a
magnet made of iron will continue to attract magnetic
objects even after the external magnetic field is removed.

• Paramagnetism: Paramagnetic materials become

magnetized only in the presence of an external magnetic
field. Unlike ferromagnetic materials, the magnetic
moments of atoms in paramagnetic materials are
randomly oriented at room temperature, and there is no
permanent magnetization. However, when an external
magnetic field is applied, the individual magnetic
moments tend to align with the field, resulting in weak
magnetization. Once the external field is removed, the
magnetization disappears. Aluminium & platinum exhibit
paramagnetism.

• Diamagnetism: Diamagnetic materials exhibit very weak

magnetic properties and are repelled by magnetic fields.
This behaviour occurs because the orbital motion of
electrons creates tiny magnetic fields that oppose the
applied magnetic field, producing a weak repulsive force.
Diamagnetic materials do not have any inherent magnetic
moment. When placed in a magnetic field, they induce a
small magnetic moment in the opposite direction,
resulting in a weak repulsion. Examples include copper,
water, and graphite.
EFFECT OF TEMPERATURE ON
FERROMAGNETIC MATERIALS
• Effect of Temperature on Ferromagnetic Materials:

Ferromagnetic materials, such as iron, exhibit strong

magnetization due to the alignment of the magnetic moments
of atoms within small regions called magnetic domains. In
these materials, the electron spins and orbital motions of atoms
are aligned in the same direction, leading to a net magnetic
field.

At low temperatures, the thermal energy is minimal, and the

atomic vibrations are limited. As a result, the magnetic
domains remain aligned, and the material retains its strong
magnetism. However, as the temperature increases, the
thermal energy of the atoms also increases, causing greater
atomic vibration.

• How Heating Disrupts Domain Alignment:

When the temperature rises, the increased thermal motion

disrupts the alignment of the magnetic domains. This happens
because the atoms begin to vibrate more intensely, making it
harder for the magnetic moments of the atoms within a domain
to stay aligned. The result is that the domains can no longer
maintain their perfect alignment, causing the material’s
magnetization to weaken.

At a specific temperature known as the Curie temperature (Tc),

this effect becomes dramatic. At Tc, the thermal energy
becomes so strong that it overcomes the magnetic forces that
hold the domains in alignment. As a result, the material
transitions from ferromagnetic to paramagnetic behaviour,
where the domains are no longer aligned, and the material
loses its ability to retain permanent magnetization.
MAGNETIC SUSCEPTIBILITY
• Magnetic Susceptibility: Magnetic susceptibility (χ) is a
measure of how easily a material becomes magnetized
when exposed to an external magnetic field. It quantifies
the material's response to the applied field, with positive
values indicating that the material becomes magnetized in
the same direction as the field (paramagnetic and
ferromagnetic materials) and negative values indicating a
repulsion (diamagnetic materials). The larger the
magnetic susceptibility, the more easily the material
becomes magnetized. In simpler terms, magnetic
susceptibility describes the degree to which a material’s
atoms or molecules align with an external magnetic field.
A high susceptibility means the material strongly
responds to the field and becomes more magnetized,
while a low susceptibility means the material responds
weakly.
• Magnetic Susceptibility and Temperature for
Ferromagnetic Materials: For ferromagnetic materials
like iron, magnetic susceptibility is very high at low
temperatures, indicating that the material can be easily
magnetized. This is because, at low temperatures, the
atomic magnetic moments (spins of electrons) in the
material are well-aligned, and the magnetic domains are
stable. As the temperature increases, the thermal energy
of the atoms increases, causing them to vibrate more
intensely. This thermal motion disrupts the alignment of
the magnetic domains, which weakens the material’s
ability to become magnetized. As a result, magnetic
susceptibility decreases with an increase in temperature.
This decrease continues until the material reaches its
Curie temperature (Tc), at which point the material
transitions from ferromagnetic to paramagnetic behavior.
Above this temperature, the susceptibility becomes very
low, and the material can no longer retain its
magnetization.
CURIE TEMPERATURE AND ITS
IMPORTANCE
• Curie Temperature (Tc) and Its Significance: The
Curie temperature (Tc) is a critical temperature at which a
ferromagnetic material loses its ferromagnetic properties
and transitions into a paramagnetic state. It is named after
the French physicist Pierre Curie, who discovered this
phenomenon.

At temperatures below Tc, ferromagnetic materials, like

iron, cobalt, and nickel, exhibit strong magnetism. This
occurs because the magnetic domains in these materials
align in the same direction, causing the material to
maintain a net macroscopic magnetic field. The alignment
of these domains is driven by the material’s intrinsic
magnetic forces, which are strong enough to overcome
the disruptive effects of thermal motion at lower
temperatures.

• Behaviour Above Tc: When the temperature exceeds the

Curie temperature (Tc), the thermal energy of the material
becomes sufficiently high to disrupt the alignment of the
magnetic domains. As the atoms vibrate more intensely,
the magnetic moments of the atoms are no longer able to
maintain their alignment, causing the material to lose its
permanent magnetization. At this point, the material
transitions from ferromagnetic to paramagnetic
behaviour.

In the paramagnetic state, the material’s magnetic

moments become randomly oriented, and the material no
longer exhibits strong magnetism. It will only become
magnetized in the presence of an external magnetic field,
and once the field is removed, the magnetization
disappears. The material no longer retains its
magnetization once it has been heated above its Curie
 temperature, which is why ferromagnetic materials cannot
act as permanent magnets at high temperatures.

• Significance of Tc: The Curie temperature is significant

because it marks the temperature beyond which a
ferromagnetic material’s magnetic properties are
irreversibly altered. Knowing the Curie temperature of a
material is essential in applications where the material
must maintain its magnetism, such as in permanent
magnets, motors, or transformers. If these materials are
exposed to temperatures above their Curie temperature,
they will lose their magnetism and cease to function as
intended.
BASIC PRINCIPLES OF MAGNETIC
BEHAVIOUR
• Magnetism and Magnetic Fields: Magnetism is a
fundamental force in nature. A magnetic field is a region
in space where magnetic forces can be detected. These
fields surround magnetic objects, like magnets, and are
represented by magnetic field lines. These lines emerge
from the north pole of a magnet and curve around to enter
the south pole, showing the direction of the magnetic
force. The density of these lines indicates the strength of
the field: where the lines are closer, the magnetic field is
stronger. These lines do not intersect and form a
continuous loop from the south pole back to the north
pole inside the magnet, completing the magnetic circuit.
• Magnetic Poles: Magnets have two regions called
magnetic poles, the north pole, and the south pole. The
north pole of a magnet is attracted to the Earth's magnetic
south pole, and vice versa, while the south pole of a
magnet is attracted to the Earth's magnetic north pole.
Magnetic poles always exist in pairs a single isolated
magnetic pole, called a monopole, does not occur in
nature. If a magnet is cut in half, each piece will have its
own north and south pole. This property distinguishes
magnetism from other forces like electric charge, which
can exist in isolation.
• Law of Magnetic Poles: The law of magnetic poles states
that like poles repel and unlike poles attract. This
behaviour is like electric charges, where like charges
repel, and opposite charges attract. The force of attraction
or repulsion between the poles depends on the distance
between them: the closer the poles are, the stronger the
magnetic force. This law helps explain the basic
interactions between magnets and is fundamental to
understanding how magnetic fields affect materials.
EXPERIMENTAL SETUP
• Experimental Setup: The objective of this experiment is
to observe how the magnetic strength of a ferromagnetic
material, such as an iron bar magnet, changes with
temperature. The setup involves heating the magnet and
measuring its magnetic strength at various temperatures.
MATERIALS USED IN THE
EXPERIMENT
List the materials required for the experiment, such as:

• Bar magnet (permanent magnet)

• Thermometer (for measuring temperature)
• Compass (for measuring magnetic field strength)
• Heat source (hot water, stove, or hairdryer)
• Ice (for cooling)
• Stopwatch (optional)
PROCEDURE FOR EXPERIMENT
• STEP-BY-STEP EXPLANATION OF HOW THE EXPERIMENT IS
CONDUCTED, INCLUDING:
1. MEASURING THE MAGNET’S STRENGTH AT ROOM
TEMPERATURE.
2. HEATING THE MAGNET AND MEASURING THE CHANGE IN
STRENGTH.
3. COOLING THE MAGNET AND OBSERVING ANY RECOVERY OF
STRENGTH.
4. TESTING WITH DIFFERENT TEMPERATURE RANGES.
OBSERVATIONS AND DATA
RECORDING
• Measuring the Magnet’s Strength at Room
Temperature: To begin the experiment, securely place
the iron bar magnet on an insulating stand or clamp to
keep it stationary. This ensures that the magnet does not
move during the experiment, providing consistent
readings. Position the thermometer near the magnet to
measure the temperature, which should be recorded as the
room temperature (approximately 20°C-25°C).

Next, use a compass to measure the magnetic field around

the magnet. The compass needle should deflect strongly,
indicating that the magnet is exhibiting a strong magnetic
field. This gives a preliminary sense of the magnet's
strength at room temperature.

Additionally, test the magnetic strength by placing paper

clips or small magnetic objects on the ends of the magnet.
Count how many papers clips the magnet can hold at this
temperature. This measurement helps gauge the magnet's
strength at the start of the experiment. The magnet should
be able to hold a significant number of clips at this stage,
as ferromagnetic materials generally show strong
magnetism at room temperature.

• Heating the Magnet and Measuring the Change in

Strength: Once you have measured and recorded the
magnet's strength at room temperature, begin applying
heat to the magnet. Use a Bunsen burner, electric heating
coil, or another heat source to gradually heat the magnet.
It is important to heat the magnet slowly to avoid thermal
shock. As the magnet heats up, measure the temperature
using the thermometer at regular intervals.
 After each increase in temperature (e.g., 10°C), observe
any changes in the compass reading. As the magnet’s
temperature rises, you should notice the compass needle
deflecting less, indicating a weakening of the magnetic
field. In addition, test the magnetic strength by attaching
paper clips to the magnet. As the temperature increases,
the magnet should lose its ability to hold paper clips, and
the number of clips it can hold should decrease.

Keep a record of the temperature and the number of paper

clips held by the magnet at each stage. The data will show
how the magnet's strength diminishes as the temperature
increases. You may also notice a point where the magnet
starts to lose its magnetic properties significantly,
indicating that the temperature is approaching a critical
level, such as the Curie temperature.

• Cooling the Magnet and Observing Any Recovery of

Strength: After heating the magnet to a certain
temperature, remove the heat source and allow the magnet
to cool back down to room temperature. As it cools,
measure its magnetic strength again by observing the
compass reading and testing the number of paper clips it
can hold.

In some cases, you may notice that the magnet regains

some of its magnetic strength as it cools. If the magnet
had reached a temperature above its Curie temperature, it
may have completely lost its magnetism during the
heating phase, and it might not recover its original
strength. However, if the magnet was not heated beyond
the Curie temperature, it may return to its initial state after
cooling.

Make sure to record the magnet’s strength after it cools

down and compare it to the initial strength measurements
taken at room temperature.
• Testing with Different Temperature Ranges: To
further investigate the effect of temperature on
magnetism, you can experiment with different
temperature ranges. After testing the magnet at room
temperature and heating it to a reasonable point, you can
explore extreme temperatures.

For high-temperature testing, carefully apply heat until

the magnet reaches a temperature well above its Curie
temperature. Observe the magnet’s strength at these high
temperatures, where it should lose its magnetic properties
entirely and no longer be able to hold paper clips or affect
the compass needle.

For low-temperature testing, you can place the magnet in

a cooling bath (such as ice or cold water) to observe if the
magnet’s strength increases as the temperature decreases.
At extremely low temperatures, some materials may show
a slight increase in magnetism, though the changes are
typically more pronounced in materials like
superconductors.

During both high and low-temperature testing, continue to

measure the temperature at each stage and record the
compass readings and the number of papers clips the
magnet can hold. This will help you analyse the
relationship between temperature and the magnet’s
strength in greater detail.
HEAT AND COOLING METHODS
• Heating the Magnet: A Bunsen burner, electric
heating coil, or hot plate is typically used to gradually
heat the magnet. These heat sources provide controlled,
uniform heat to the magnet. The temperature should be
raised slowly to prevent thermal shock and ensure that the
magnet heats evenly. A thermometer is used to monitor
the temperature of the magnet as it is heated.

• Cooling the Magnet: After reaching the desired

temperature, the magnet can be cooled by removing the
heat source and allowing it to cool naturally in room air.
For faster cooling, a cooling bath (e.g., ice water) can be
used. This allows for a controlled decrease in
temperature, ensuring that the magnet cools gradually and
evenly. A thermometer should be used to track the
temperature as the magnet cools.
EFFECT OF HEATING ON MAGNETISM
• Thermal Agitation and Disruption of Magnetic
Domains: Heating a magnet increases thermal agitation,
causing the atoms within the material to vibrate more. In
ferromagnetic materials, such as iron, this agitation
disrupts the alignment of the magnetic domains—
regions where atomic magnetic moments are aligned in
the same direction. As the temperature rises, the thermal
energy causes these domains to lose their alignment,
weakening the overall magnetization. At very high
temperatures (near the Curie temperature), the agitation
becomes strong enough to randomize the domains,
causing the material to lose its magnetic properties
entirely.

• Decrease in Magnet Strength with Temperature: As

the magnet heats up, its strength gradually decreases.
Initially, at room temperature, the magnet is strong,
holding objects like paper clips easily. However, as the
temperature increases, the magnet’s ability to attract or
hold these objects weakens due to the misalignment of the
magnetic domains. The compass reading also shows less
deflection, reflecting the reduction in magnetic field
strength. At the Curie temperature, the magnet may lose
all its magnetism, transitioning from ferromagnetic to
paramagnetic.
EFFECT OF COOLING ON MAGNETISM
• Cooling the Magnet and Realignment of Magnetic
Domains: When a magnet cools down, the thermal
motion of atoms decreases, and the atoms move more
slowly. As the temperature drops, the thermal agitation
that previously disrupted the alignment of the magnetic
domains is reduced. This allows the magnetic domains to
begin realigning themselves in the original direction,
which can partially restore the magnet's strength. The
material becomes more magnetized as the domains regain
their orderly alignment, and the overall magnetic field
strengthens.

• Partial Restoration of Magnet Strength: However,

cooling may not fully restore the magnet’s original
strength. If the magnet was heated above its Curie
temperature, it may have lost its permanent magnetism
entirely, transitioning to a paramagnetic state. In such
cases, cooling the magnet may not bring it back to its
initial, fully magnetized state. While some domains can
realign during cooling, the loss of magnetism at high
temperatures may be irreversible, especially if the
material has undergone a permanent change in its
magnetic properties. Thus, while cooling helps reduce
thermal agitation and realign some domains, the magnet
may never fully regain its original strength.
CURIE TEMPERATURE AND LOSS OF
MAGNETISM
What Happens When the Magnet Exceeds Its Curie
Temperature?

When a magnet is heated beyond its Curie temperature (Tc),

it undergoes a dramatic change in its magnetic properties. The
Curie temperature is the critical temperature at which
ferromagnetic materials, such as iron, cobalt, and nickel, lose
their strong, permanent magnetism.

At temperatures below the Curie temperature, the magnetic

domains in ferromagnetic materials are aligned in the same
direction, giving the material its strong magnetism. However,
when the temperature exceeds the Curie point, the increased
thermal energy causes the atoms to vibrate more intensely.
This disrupts the alignment of the magnetic domains, and the
material’s magnetic properties begin to weaken. As the
temperature rises further, the atoms move so energetically that
the magnetic domains become completely randomized,
causing the material to lose its magnetization entirely.

Permanent Loss of Ferromagnetic Properties and

Transition to Paramagnetic State

Once the Curie temperature is surpassed, the material

undergoes a permanent loss of its ferromagnetic properties.
The material transitions from a ferromagnetic state, where the
magnetic domains are aligned and the material has strong,
spontaneous magnetization, to a paramagnetic state, where
the material no longer exhibits spontaneous magnetism.

In the paramagnetic state, individual atoms or ions still have

magnetic moments, but these moments are not aligned in any
particular direction. The material does not have an overall
magnetic field, and any magnetization that does exist only
occurs in the presence of an external magnetic field. Unlike
ferromagnetic materials, paramagnetic materials do not retain
any magnetization once the external field is removed.

This transition from ferromagnetism to paramagnetism is not

reversible through cooling alone, particularly if the material
has been heated above the Curie temperature for a prolonged
period. The loss of permanent magnetism can thus lead to a
permanent decrease in the material’s magnetic strength,
making it no longer suitable for applications that require
strong, lasting magnetism.
ROLE OF TEMPERATURE IN
INDUSTRIAL MAGNETISM
• How Temperature Affects the Performance of
Magnets in Industrial Applications: Temperature
impacts the performance of magnets in industrial
applications like electric motors and magnetic sensors.
In electric motors, high temperatures can reduce a
magnet's strength, decreasing efficiency and power
output. If the temperature exceeds the Curie
temperature, the magnet may lose its magnetism
entirely. In magnetic sensors, temperature fluctuations
can affect the accuracy of readings, as the magnet's
sensitivity changes with temperature, leading to potential
errors in measurement.
• Accounting for Temperature Effects in Magnet
Design: Engineers must consider temperature effects
when designing machines with permanent magnets.
Choosing magnets with a high Curie temperature helps
prevent performance loss in high-temperature
environments. Engineers may also implement cooling
systems or use protective coatings to maintain magnet
strength, ensuring reliable performance in industrial
applications. Proper temperature management is crucial
for optimizing efficiency and durability in machines
relying on magnets.
REAL-WORLD EXAMPLES OF
TEMPERATURE EFFECTS ON
MAGNETISM
• Compass:
A compass relies on a small, magnetized needle that
aligns with Earth's magnetic field to show direction.
Temperature changes can affect the strength and
accuracy of the compass. If the temperature rises too
high, the magnet inside the compass may lose some of its
magnetism due to thermal agitation, reducing its ability
to align correctly with the Earth’s magnetic field. At
extremely low or high temperatures, the compass could
show inaccurate readings or even fail to function
properly, making temperature control important for
accurate navigation in varying environmental conditions.

• Motors:
In electric motors, magnets are used to create the
magnetic field needed to generate motion. If the motor
overheats due to excessive load or prolonged use, the
magnets inside can lose their strength. Overheating can
disrupt the alignment of the magnetic domains, reducing
the motor's efficiency and possibly causing it to fail. To
prevent this, cooling mechanisms like fans, heat sinks, or
liquid cooling systems are often incorporated into motor
designs to keep the temperature within safe operating
limits and maintain optimal performance over time. These
cooling systems are crucial in applications like electric
vehicles or industrial machines, where motors are
subjected to constant or heavy use.
RESULTS AND ANALYSIS
CONCLUSION
Temperature plays a crucial role in influencing the magnetic
properties of ferromagnetic materials. As temperature
increases, the thermal agitation of atoms disrupts the alignment
of magnetic domains, leading to a decrease in magnetism.
When the temperature surpasses the Curie temperature,
ferromagnetic materials lose their permanent magnetism and
transition to a paramagnetic state. Cooling the material can
allow some recovery of magnetism, but it does not completely
restore the original strength. This behaviour highlights the
importance of considering temperature effects in various
applications, such as in electric motors and magnetic sensors,
where consistent magnetic performance is required. Future
investigations could focus on materials with higher Curie
temperatures or ways to mitigate the effects of temperature on
magnetic properties in critical applications.
REFERENCES AND BIBLIOGRAPHY
• Books:

1. Halliday, D., Resnick, R., & Walker, J. (2014).

Fundamentals of Physics. 10th Edition, John Wiley &
Sons, Inc.
2. Giancoli, D. C. (2013). Physics: Principles with
Applications. 7th Edition, Pearson Education.

• Research Papers:

1. Fisher, R. A., & Ziegler, D. (1968). "Magnetic Properties

and Curie Temperature of Ferromagnetic Materials,"
Journal of Applied Physics, 39(7), 4293–4295.
2. Kittel, C. (1953). "On the Theory of Ferromagnetism,"
Physical Review, 89(5), 1302–1316.

• Online Articles:

1. "Curie Temperature and its Effect on Materials," Physics

Classroom. Available at:
https://www.physicsclassroom.com/
2. "Temperature Effects on Magnetism," HyperPhysics,
Georgia State University. Available at:
http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/

• Websites:

1. "Magnetic Properties of Materials," University of

California, Berkeley - Department of Physics. Available
at: https://physics.berkeley.edu/
2. "Thermal Effects on Magnetism," Science Direct.
Available at: https://www.sciencedirect.com/