Prepare for the Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) Exam with our comprehensive practice tests. Utilize multiple choice questions, detailed explanations, and expert guidance. Achieve success and advance your career in NDT!

Practice this question and more.


In what direction do the magnetic lines of force run in a longitudinal magnetic field?

  1. Perpendicular to the part's surface

  2. Randomly oriented

  3. Parallel to the part's long axis

  4. In a circular pattern

The correct answer is: Parallel to the part's long axis

In a longitudinal magnetic field, the magnetic lines of force run parallel to the part's long axis. This means that the magnetic field is oriented in the same direction as the length of the material being examined. This orientation is essential for effective magnetic particle testing, as it allows for the detection of defects that are aligned with the length of the part. When the magnetic lines of force are aligned this way, any discontinuities or surface defects that are parallel to the magnetic field become magnetized, attracting magnetic particles to those areas, which then highlights the flaws. Understanding the behavior of magnetic lines of force in this context is crucial, as it influences the efficacy of various non-destructive testing techniques used in engineering and materials science.