NEIEP Mechanics Practice Exam

What property of a material describes how easily magnetic lines of force can penetrate it?

1. Magnetism

2. Permeability

3. Conductivity

4. Resistance

The correct answer is: Permeability

The property of a material that describes how easily magnetic lines of force can penetrate it is known as permeability. Permeability indicates how well a material can support the formation of a magnetic field within itself. A material with high permeability allows magnetic field lines to pass through it more freely, indicating that it can be easily magnetized and concentrated in that region. In contrast, materials with low permeability do not allow magnetic field lines to pass through as effectively, resulting in a weaker magnetic response. This concept is crucial in electromagnetism and material science, as it determines how different materials interact with magnetic fields, influencing the design and efficiency of magnetic devices and systems. Other properties such as magnetism more broadly refer to the ability of a material to become magnetized but do not specify how well it supports magnetic lines of force. Conductivity pertains to how well a material can conduct electricity, while resistance is a measure of how strongly a material opposes the flow of electrical current. All of these properties are important in their respective contexts, but permeability is the specific term relevant to the question regarding magnetic lines of force.