Hysteresis refers to the lag or delay in the response of a system to changes in the input or external conditions. In the context of materials and systems like magnetic or mechanical systems, hysteresis is typically observed when the output depends not only on the current input but also on the history of the input.
The key factors that hysteresis depends on are:
- Material Properties: Different materials exhibit different hysteresis behavior. For example, in magnetic materials (like iron), hysteresis depends on the magnetic properties, such as coercivity (resistance to demagnetization) and remanence (the residual magnetization after an external magnetic field is removed).
- Friction or Internal Resistance: In mechanical systems, hysteresis can be caused by friction, damping, or internal resistance in the system. This resistance can cause energy loss and result in a delayed response.
- Temperature: Temperature can affect the hysteresis behavior, as many materials have different properties at different temperatures. For instance, materials might become more or less magnetically or mechanically responsive based on how hot or cold they are.
- Rate of Change of Input: The speed at which the external condition (like magnetic field or force) changes also influences hysteresis. If the input changes too quickly, the system may not have time to fully respond, leading to hysteresis effects.
- System Geometry and Structure: In some systems, such as elastomers or certain mechanical systems, the shape or structure of the material (e.g., how it is deformed or how forces are applied) can also affect hysteresis.
In short, hysteresis is influenced by the characteristics of the material, the way forces or fields are applied, and the conditions like temperature or rate of change.