Which of the following materials typically displays hysteresis?

Hysteresis is a phenomenon commonly associated with magnetic materials. This effect occurs when the material's magnetization depends not only on the current magnetic field but also on its past exposure to magnetic fields. In magnetic materials, when an external magnetic field is applied, the material becomes magnetized. However, once the external field is removed, the magnetization does not return to zero immediately; instead, some magnetization remains. This retention leads to a characteristic loop in the magnetization versus magnetic field graph, which defines the hysteresis behavior.

This property is crucial in various applications, such as magnetic storage devices, transformers, and inductors, where maintaining a certain magnetization level is essential for functional efficiency. Other materials, like electrical insulators, conductive metals, and organic compounds, do not exhibit this behavior in the same manner, as they do not have the inherent magnetic domains that cause hysteresis.