Question

The main difference in magnetic properties of soft iron and steel

Answer 1

Iron gets magnetized faster but loses its magnetism as soon as the inducing magnet is removed. Hence soft iron is said to have high susceptibility but low retentivity. This property of soft iron is very useful in making temporary electromagnets where we need strong but temporary magnets. If the magnets used in these devices were to retain their magnetism for a longer period, the devices would not function properly.

Core in the transformer is made up of soft iron material.

Steel is slow to be magnetized but retains the acquired magnetism for a long time. Steel is said to have low susceptibility but high retentivity.

Steel is used for making magnets.

Answer 2

  The magnetic properties differ in different magnetic material as it totally depends upon the retentivity and coercivity of the material which determines whether the magnetism hold is for a small period of time or for long and also the strength of magnetism possessed by the material. Iron is said to have more retention value of magnetism than steel which is the main difference between the two.

  This signifies that the iron is magnetized with more strength than steel. The other main difference is that steel has more coercive than iron which signifies that steel remains magnetized for long.