# Absolute Value of Magnetization

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1. May 19, 2017

### peroAlex

Hello, I'm a student of electrical engineering. This task appeared in one of the past exams. I've been using the procedure I believe should yield the correct result, however, it turns out I was wrong. Could somebody please check out where the mistake lays in my calculations?
1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data
Ferromagnetic core (task assumes it is linear) has middle length of $l = 0.2 m$ and an air gap of width $\delta = 0.001 m$. It carries a $N = 200$ winding coil conducting current $I = 8 A$. Compute absolute value of magnetization.

2. Relevant equations
I believe that $\int H \cdot dl = 0$ and $H = \frac{B}{\mu_0} - M$ should be adequate.

3. The attempt at a solution

So, according to above mentioned equations, $(1) H_{core}l + H_{gap}\delta = 0$. For $H_{core}$ I used $(2) H_{core} = \frac{B}{\mu_0} - M$. Plug this into $(1)$ and so expressed magnetization $M$ should be (according to my calculations): $$(3) M = \frac{\frac{B (l + \delta)}{\mu_0}}{l}$$

I computed B-field as with $NI = Hl = \frac{B l}{\mu_0}$ which yields $B = 0.0032 \pi T$. Then I plugged this result into $(3)$ and obtained $M = 8040 \frac{A}{m}$ which is incorrect according to faculty provided solutions. Correct result should be $M = 1.14 MA/m$.

Any help would be appreciated!

2. May 19, 2017

Your equation should read $\oint H \cdot dl=NI$. Meanwhile $H_{gap}=B/\mu_o$ since $B$ is continuous across the gap. $H_{core}=B/(\mu \mu_o)$ and $\mu$ can be assumed to be very large, so that the $H_{core}$ term is negligible. $\\$( Editing... Upon looking at their answer of $M=1.14 E+6$, I think they are using $\mu=500$, instead of assuming very large $\mu$ .) $\\$ This should allow you to solve for $B$, and then since $B=\mu_o ( H +M )$, $M=B/\mu_o$ (approximately). (Note: Some books use $B=\mu_oH+M$. I see you are using $B=\mu_o(H+M))$. $\\$ Here is a "link" that I got from @TSny that should be helpful. http://www.feynmanlectures.caltech.edu/II_36.html (see equation (36.26), etc.) (The "link" uses different units=it uses $B=H+\mu_o M$). $\\$ For an interesting calculation, you can work through the same problem without the air gap, and $M$ then becomes about 3.5x higher.

Last edited: May 19, 2017
3. May 19, 2017

### Fred Wright

I would like to humbly and respectfully defer from Charles' approximation. By the circuituidal law we get,$$NI=\frac{Bl_i}{\mu_0\mu_i}+\frac{B\delta}{\mu_0}$$

4. May 19, 2017

I agree. I had already corrected the use of the approximation, because the $\mu$ here is finite. In the problem as given by the OP, $\mu$ is unspecified, but by the answer that their faculty supplied, they are apparently using $\mu=500$. $\\$ Editing.... It would probably be good to be precise also with the computation for $M$. Since $B=\mu_o (H+M)$, $B=\mu_o (B/(\mu \mu_o))+\mu_o M$, so that $M=\frac{B}{\mu_o} (1-\frac{1}{\mu})$. $\\$ And one more minor correction to the above: I see in the literature they customarily write $B=\mu H$ with $\mu=\mu_o \mu_r$. In this case $\mu_r=500$ and the $\mu$ that I used is usually written as $\mu_r$..

Last edited: May 20, 2017
5. May 21, 2017

### rude man

Unlike an OP's similar problem this one is not pathological (no shorted secondary which cannot occur without introducing leakage fluxes and winding resistances) in that it can be reasonably analyzed, and post 2 does this essentially fine although introducing M is unnecessary: just go Hl = Ni. But stop before the "EDIT".

In fact, the last sentence, "For an interesting calculation, you can work through the same problem without the air gap, and M" style="font-size: 114%; position: relative;" tabindex="0" class="mjx-chtml MathJax_CHTML" id="MathJax-Element-37-Frame">M then becomes about 3.5x higher." is way off base. In fact, since B = μNi/l, and assuming μ >> μ0, M → μ/μ0, typically 500 or more for a ferromagnetic core at low frequencies (μ deteriorates with increasing frequency).

6. May 21, 2017

In the factor of 3.5 x, I think I got the arithmetic correct, and I am completely in agreement with the input of @Fred Wright (post #3) who also appears to have complete command of the concepts which are also given in the "link" of the Feynman lectures in post #2. $\\$ Editing: If you assume very large $\mu$ then you get $H_{gap} \delta =NI$ and $B=\mu_o H_{gap}$ everywhere. Since $B=\mu_o H_m+\mu_o M$, and $H_m$ can be assumed small, this result gives $M=B/\mu_o$. Upon comparing this result with the answer that the OP's faculty furnished for the magnetization $M$, it was observed the term $B l/(\mu_r \mu_o)$ must also make a contribution and that $\mu_r =500$ gives the answer that was furnished, instead of an assumption that $\mu_r \geq 10,000$ or thereabouts. Meanwhile, without the gap, this $B l/(\mu_r \mu_o)$ term is the only contribution to $\oint H \cdot ds$.

Last edited: May 21, 2017
7. May 21, 2017

### rude man

My math agrees with yours if μ = 500μr. (But this number was reverse-engineered from an incorrect answer to the OP's stated problem. The OP's problem as stated must assume μr → ∞ if it is to be solved at all. I didn't realize you carried your assumption of μ = 500μr thru to the end of your first post.

8. May 21, 2017

@peroAlex You should recognize from the integral $\oint H \cdot ds=NI$ how the concept of mmf (magnetomotive force) and magnetic reluctance comes about. Upon having worked this calculation, the other transformer problem you posted with the branch down the middle (which includes an air gap) is more readily understood=it's like circuit theory with resistors in parallel. The other problem needs to specify the load resistance in the secondary coil and they should also tell you what value to use for the relative permeability $\mu_r$.