Types of Permeability
Permeability can be categorised as:
- Permeability of Free Space or Vacuum Permeability
- Relative Permeability
Let’s discuss these in detail.
Vacuum Permeability (μ₀)
Just like permittivity of vacuum, permeability of vacuum is considered to be a fundamental constant. Its value is approximately 4π x 10⁻⁷ H/m. It is also referred as the permeability of the free space.
Relative Permeability (μr)
Relative permeability the ratio of the permeability of the material to the permeability of vacuum (μr = μ/μ₀). It is a dimensionless number that shows how much a given material can be magnetized when placed in an external electric field.
Permeability of Materials
Permeability of some of the most common Materials are given in the following table:
|
Material |
Permeability (H/m) |
Relative Permeability (μr) |
|---|---|---|
|
Air |
1.25 x 10-6 |
1.0000004 |
|
Water |
1.26 x 10-6 |
1.0000004 |
|
Wood |
1.26 x 10-6 |
1.0000004 |
|
Copper |
1.257 x 10-6 |
0.9999 |
|
Iron |
5.3 x 10-3 |
4000 |
Permittivity and Permeability
Permittivity and Permeability are two fundamental properties of materials that play a crucial role in the behavior of electromagnetic waves and related fields. Permittivity, represented by the symbol ε (epsilon), describes a material’s ability to permit the electric field to pass through it. Permittivity is a measure of how easily electric charges can be separated within the material in response to an applied electric field. On the other hand, Permeability, denoted as μ (mu), characterizes a material’s ability to allow magnetic fields to pass through it. Permeability represents how readily magnetic flux can propagate within the material when subjected to a magnetic field.
Together, Permittivity and Permeability determine the speed at which electromagnetic waves, such as light and radio waves, travel through a given medium. This article provides a brief description of both Permittivity and Permeability, other than that we will also discuss the key differences between Permittivity and Permeability.
Table of Content
- What is Permittivity?
- Types of Permittivity
- What is Permeability?
- Types of Permeability
- Difference between Permittivity and Permeability