With regard to ferromagnetic materials, which of the following statem…

The correct answer is Option (1) → Hard ferromagnetic materials are used in permanent magnets because they have large hysteresis area

A permanent magnet must keep its magnetisation and resist demagnetisation, so it needs high retentivity and high coercivity. Such materials have a wide hysteresis loop, that is, a large hysteresis area; they are the hard ferromagnets (e.g. alnico). Soft ferromagnets (e.g. soft iron) have a narrow loop and lose their magnetisation easily; they are used in electromagnets and transformer cores.

Note: The use of hard ferromagnets in permanent magnets is from the latest textbook (2026-27). The link with the hysteresis curve, that a permanent-magnet material needs high retentivity and high coercivity, is printed only in the pre-rationalised textbook (2022-23). It was removed from the latest book, and it also appears to be out of the CUET 2026 syllabus.

NCERT (2026-27):
Ferromagnetism – “… In some ferromagnetic materials the magnetisation persists. Such materials are called hard magnetic materials or hard ferromagnets. … Such materials form permanent magnets to be used among other things as a compass needle. On the other hand, there is a class of ferromagnetic materials in which the magnetisation disappears on removal of the external field. Soft iron is one such material.”

NCERT (Pre-rationalised edition, 2022-23):
Permanent Magnets and Electromagnets – “… The hysteresis curve (Fig. 5.14) allows us to select suitable materials for permanent magnets. The material should have high retentivity so that the magnet is strong and high coercivity so that the magnetisation is not erased by stray magnetic fields, temperature fluctuations or minor mechanical damage.”