hysteresis loss
Quick Summary
Hysteresis loss refers to the energy lost as heat when the magnetization of a ferromagnetic material, like iron, lags behind changes in the magnetizing field.12
When a magnetic field is applied to a ferromagnetic material, its atomic magnets align with the field, increasing the overall magnetic flux density. This alignment doesn't happen instantly; it lags behind the magnetizing field.1
Even when the magnetizing field is removed, some magnetism remains (remanence). To reduce this magnetism to zero, a reverse magnetic field (coercive force) is needed. This lagging effect creates a cycle represented by a hysteresis loop. The energy lost as heat during this process is proportional to the area of this loop. To minimize energy waste in devices like transformers, materials with narrow hysteresis loops are used.1
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