Question

What is the property of permeability in magnetic materials?

(a) how easily the magnetic flux is broken/clear

(b) how easily the magnetic flux is set up

(c) how long the magnetic flux takes to form

(d) how long the magnetic flux takes to clear

This question was posed to me in a job interview.

This interesting question is from Magnetic Materials in portion Electrical Engineering Materials of Design of Electrical Machines

Answer 1

The correct answer is:

(b) how easily the magnetic flux is set up

Explanation:

Permeability ($\mu$) is a property of magnetic materials that describes how easily a material can support the formation of a magnetic field within itself. It represents the ability of a material to conduct magnetic flux.

In other words, permeability measures how easily magnetic flux lines can pass through a material when a magnetizing force is applied. The higher the permeability, the easier it is for the material to establish magnetic flux.

Thus, permeability is related to how easily the magnetic flux is set up within the material when exposed to an external magnetic field, which matches option (b).