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Ferromagnetic materials may become strongly magnetized because
the material is made up of small regions known as magnetic domains.
(The atoms of many other metals have similar magnetic moments
but no domains). In each domain, all the atomic dipoles are coupled
together in a single direction. Ferromagnetic materials become
magnetized when the magnetic domains within the material are
aligned. This can be done by placing the material in a strong
external magnetic field.
Micrograph showing magnetic domains in heat
treated carbon steel.
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