Red Seal Electrician Practice
Magnetism and electromagnetismQuestion 874 of 1506

What does the area inside a hysteresis curve show for a core in an AC circuit?

  1. The maximum flux that the core can hold
  2. The permeability of air around the core
  3. A rough measure of wasted energy
  4. The number of turns that the coil needs
Show answer

Correct answer: A rough measure of wasted energy

Energy goes into overcoming the previous magnetization every time the field reverses.

Source: Lessons in Electric Circuits I: DC (Kuphaldt), 14.4: Permeability and Saturation

Practice magnetism and electromagnetism

Questions last reviewed: 18 October 2026