### Hysteresis Loop
The **hysteresis loop** is a graphical representation that describes the behavior of a material (typically a magnetic material) when subjected to a cyclic magnetization process. The horizontal axis of the hysteresis loop represents the applied magnetic field intensity (**H**), while the vertical axis represents the resulting magnetic flux density (**B**).
#### Key Features of the Hysteresis Loop:
1. **Initial Magnetization Curve**: When a magnetic field is applied to an initially unmagnetized material, the curve moves from the origin, showing the relationship between **B** and **H**.
2. **Saturation**: At high field intensities, the material reaches **magnetic saturation**, where further increase in the magnetic field results in no significant increase in magnetization.
3. **Remanence (Residual Magnetism)**: When the applied magnetic field is reduced to zero after the material has been magnetized to saturation, some magnetization remains in the material. This is called **remanence** or **residual magnetism**.
4. **Coercivity**: The negative magnetic field strength required to bring the magnetic flux density back to zero is called **coercivity**. It measures the material’s resistance to becoming demagnetized.
5. **Shape**: The closed shape of the loop represents the material's response during the magnetization and demagnetization cycle.
### Hysteresis Loss
**Hysteresis loss** refers to the energy loss that occurs in magnetic materials due to the repeated magnetization and demagnetization process. This loss happens due to the material’s inherent resistance to changes in magnetization, especially in ferromagnetic materials like iron and steel.
#### Key Characteristics of Hysteresis Loss:
1. **Energy Dissipation**: As the material undergoes cyclic changes in magnetization, energy is lost in the form of heat due to molecular friction within the material. This energy loss is proportional to the **area enclosed** by the hysteresis loop.
2. **Frequency Dependence**: The loss increases with the frequency of the magnetization cycle. This is why hysteresis loss is significant in transformers, motors, and other devices that operate with alternating magnetic fields.
3. **Materials Property**: The amount of hysteresis loss depends on the material's properties. Soft magnetic materials (like silicon steel) have narrow hysteresis loops and lower hysteresis losses, while hard magnetic materials (like permanent magnets) have wider loops and higher losses.
### Summary of Differences:
| Feature | **Hysteresis Loop** | **Hysteresis Loss** |
|----------------------|--------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------------------|
| **Definition** | Graphical representation of magnetic behavior during magnetization cycles. | Energy lost as heat during cyclic magnetization. |
| **Representation** | A closed loop on a **B-H curve** (magnetic flux vs. magnetic field intensity). | The area enclosed by the hysteresis loop. |
| **Cause** | Due to the alignment and realignment of magnetic domains in the material. | Due to molecular friction as domains re-align, leading to heat generation. |
| **Dependence** | Depends on the material’s magnetic properties, remanence, and coercivity. | Depends on the material's hysteresis loop and the frequency of the cycle. |
| **Effect on Devices** | Describes how a material responds to magnetization. | Causes energy losses in devices like transformers and motors. |
In summary, the **hysteresis loop** is the graphical plot that shows the magnetization process of a material, while **hysteresis loss** refers to the energy wasted as heat due to repeated cycles of magnetization.