In the context of ferromagnetic materials, what is a magnetic domain?

• A. A single isolated electron orbiting a nucleus that produces all of a material’s magnetism
• B. A region in which many atomic magnetic moments are aligned in the same direction, producing a net magnetization
• C. A region in space where the gravitational field is uniform and constant
• D. A closed loop of electric current that cannot produce a magnetic field outside the loop

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand that ferromagnetic materials are composed of many atoms, each with its own magnetic moment due to electron spin and orbital motion.
2. Recognize that a magnetic domain is a region within the ferromagnetic material where a large number of these atomic magnetic moments are aligned in the same direction.
3. This alignment causes the magnetic moments to add up, producing a net magnetization in that region, which contributes to the overall magnetic properties of the material.
4. Note that outside a domain, the magnetic moments may be oriented differently, so the material as a whole may not show strong magnetism unless many domains align.
5. Therefore, a magnetic domain is best described as a region in which many atomic magnetic moments are aligned in the same direction, producing a net magnetization.