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
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
In the accomplishment of this project successfully, many people have
best owned upon me their blessings and the heart pledged support,
this time I am utilizing to thank all the people concerned with this
project. Primarily I should thank God for being able to complete this
project with success. I would like to thank my Physics teacher Mrs.
Pragati Sankhe and the laboratory assistant Mrs. Priti Shukla for their
valuable guidance, vital support and instructions have served as the
major contributor towards the completion of the project.

Then I would like to thank my principal Mrs. Nimisha Singh who

presented us this opportunity. I would also like to thank my parents
and friends who have helped with their valuable suggestions and their
guidance has been very helpful in various phases of completion of the
project. Last but not least I would like to thank my classmates who
have helped me a lot.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
 Theory of Magnetism
 Types of Magnetism
 Effect of Temperature on Ferromagnetic Materials
 Magnetic Susceptibility
 Curie Temperature and its Importance
 Basic Principles of Magnetic behaviour
 Materials Used in the Experiment
 Procedure for Experiment
 Observations
 Heat and Cooling Methods
 Effect of Heating on Magnetism
 Effect of Cooling on Magnetism
 Curie Temperature and Loss of Magnetism
 Role of Temperature in Industrial Magnetism
 Real-World Examples of Temperature Effects on Magnetism
 Experiment Images
 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.
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
MEASURING THE MAGNET’S STRENGTH AT ROOM
1. 1.1

TEMPERATURE:

1. SET UP THE EQUIPMENT:

O PLACE THE MAGNET ON A STABLE SURFACE AT
ROOM TEMPERATURE.
O POSITION THE COMPASS AT A FIXED DISTANCE
FROM THE MAGNET (FOR EXAMPLE, 5-10 CM
AWAY FROM THE MAGNET'S POLE). THE
DISTANCE IS IMPORTANT AS IT AFFECTS HOW
MUCH THE COMPASS NEEDLE DEFLECTS.
2. MEASURE THE DEFLECTION:
O OBSERVE THE DEFLECTION OF THE COMPASS
NEEDLE. THE GREATER THE DEFLECTION, THE
STRONGER THE MAGNETIC FIELD. YOU CAN USE
THE ANGLE OF THE DEFLECTION TO ESTIMATE
THE STRENGTH QUALITATIVELY.
O IF YOU CAN, RECORD THE DEGREE OF
DEFLECTION OF THE NEEDLE OR NOTE THE
DIRECTION THE NEEDLE POINTS TO (INDICATING
THE STRENGTH AND DIRECTION OF THE
MAGNETIC FIELD).
3. RECORD THE BASELINE STRENGTH:
O NOTE THE TEMPERATURE (USING A
THERMOMETER) AND THE DEFLECTION OR
ORIENTATION OF THE COMPASS NEEDLE AS A
BASELINE MEASUREMENT FOR ROOM
TEMPERATURE (TYPICALLY AROUND 20-25°C).
HEATING THE MAGNET AND MEASURING THE CHANGE IN
STRENGTH:

1. APPLY HEAT TO THE MAGNET:

O GRADUALLY HEAT THE MAGNET USING YOUR
CHOSEN HEAT SOURCE (E.G., BUNSEN BURNER
OR HEAT PLATE). BE SURE TO HEAT THE
MAGNET SLOWLY TO AVOID SUDDEN THERMAL
STRESS.
O MEASURE THE TEMPERATURE WITH A
THERMOMETER.
2. MEASURE THE CHANGE IN DEFLECTION:
O AS THE MAGNET HEATS UP, USE THE COMPASS
TO OBSERVE CHANGES IN THE DEFLECTION OF
THE NEEDLE. YOU MAY NEED TO PLACE THE
COMPASS AT VARIOUS POINTS NEAR THE
MAGNET, ESPECIALLY IF THE MAGNETIC FIELD
BECOMES WEAKER AS THE TEMPERATURE
INCREASES.
O RECORD THE DEGREE OF DEFLECTION AT
DIFFERENT TEMPERATURE INTERVALS. A
DECREASE IN DEFLECTION INDICATES A
DECREASE IN MAGNETIC STRENGTH.
3. OBSERVE BEHAVIOR AT HIGH TEMPERATURES:
O KEEP AN EYE ON THE COMPASS READINGS AS
THE TEMPERATURE RISES. AS THE MAGNET
APPROACHES ITS CURIE TEMPERATURE
(TYPICALLY AROUND 700°C FOR IRON-BASED
MAGNETS), THE COMPASS NEEDLE MAY SHOW
LITTLE OR NO DEFLECTION AS THE MAGNET
LOSES ITS MAGNETIC PROPERTIES.
COOLING THE MAGNET AND OBSERVING ANY RECOVERY
OF STRENGTH:

1. COOL THE MAGNET GRADUALLY:

O AFTER HEATING THE MAGNET TO THE DESIRED
TEMPERATURE, REMOVE THE HEAT SOURCE
AND ALLOW THE MAGNET TO COOL BACK TO
ROOM TEMPERATURE.
O IF YOU WISH TO ACCELERATE THE COOLING
PROCESS, USE ICE OR A COOLING AGENT, BUT BE
CAUTIOUS NOT TO SUBJECT THE MAGNET TO
EXTREME TEMPERATURE SHOCKS.
2. MEASURE MAGNETIC STRENGTH DURING
COOLING:
O PERIODICALLY MEASURE THE DEFLECTION OF
THE COMPASS NEEDLE AS THE MAGNET COOLS.
O IF THE MAGNET IS RECOVERING ITS STRENGTH,
THE DEFLECTION OF THE COMPASS NEEDLE
WILL INCREASE AS IT COOLS.
3. OBSERVE ANY RECOVERY:
O COMPARE THE DEFLECTION OF THE COMPASS
NEEDLE TO THE INITIAL ROOM-TEMPERATURE
READING TO DETERMINE IF THE MAGNET
REGAINS ITS STRENGTH AFTER COOLING .
OBSERVATIONS
 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.
EXPERIMENT IMAGES
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/