Final answer:
Magnetic domains in a ferromagnetic material are randomly oriented, but they can be changed by applying an external magnetic field. The domains align with the field, resulting in a net magnetic dipole moment for the material.
Step-by-step explanation:
On a microscopic scale, a ferromagnetic material consists of small regions called magnetic domains. Within these domains, the magnetic poles of individual atoms are aligned, similar to tiny bar magnets. In an unmagnetized ferromagnetic material, these domains are randomly oriented. However, the orientation of the domains can be changed by applying an external magnetic field. The domains align themselves with the applied field, resulting in a net magnetic dipole moment for the material that is directed along the field. The aligned domains tend to increase in size at the expense of unaligned ones, which creates a larger magnetic field due to the alignment of the domains.