The term for the material's ability to retain magnetism is which?

The term for the material's ability to retain magnetism is which?

• A. Remanence
• B. Remanence or Retentivity
• C. Permeability
• D. Saturation

Answer: (B)

Retentivity is about how well a material can keep its magnetization after the external magnetic field is removed. It describes the material’s ability to retain magnetization. The actual leftover magnetic effect in the material is called remanence (the remanent flux density, Br). Since the question asks for the term that describes the ability to retain magnetism, retentivity is the precise concept, and many texts refer to the same idea as remanence, or use them together as “remanence or retentivity.” Permeability is about how easily a material becomes magnetized, saturation is the limit of magnetization, and remanence alone points to the leftover flux, not the retention capability. That combination is why this option best captures the idea.

Retentivity is about how well a material can keep its magnetization after the external magnetic field is removed. It describes the material’s ability to retain magnetization. The actual leftover magnetic effect in the material is called remanence (the remanent flux density, Br). Since the question asks for the term that describes the ability to retain magnetism, retentivity is the precise concept, and many texts refer to the same idea as remanence, or use them together as “remanence or retentivity.” Permeability is about how easily a material becomes magnetized, saturation is the limit of magnetization, and remanence alone points to the leftover flux, not the retention capability. That combination is why this option best captures the idea.