Question

What are some common examples of paramagnetic materials ?

Answer 1

Hint: A spin magnetic moment is created when electrons spin about in their own axis. The vector sum of the orbital and spin magnetic moments gives the magnetic moment of an atom. Magnetic compounds are divided into three categories based on their magnetic properties: diamagnetic, ferromagnetic, and paramagnetic.

Complete answer:
Some materials are weakly attracted by an externally applied magnetic field and produce internal, induced magnetic fields in the direction of the applied magnetic field, which is known as paramagnetism. Diamagnetic materials, on the other hand, are repelled by magnetic fields and produce induced magnetic fields in the opposite direction of the applied magnetic field.

Paramagnetic substances are those that become weakly magnetised when put in an external magnetic field in the same direction as the externally applied field. These materials are distinct from ferromagnetic and diamagnetic materials. They have a proclivity for moving from the weaker to the stronger magnetic field. Each atom in a paramagnetic material has a permanent magnetic dipole moment that is orientated due to the way the atoms spin.

When there is thermal motion, however, the direction of magnetic moments might have arbitrary orientations. As a result, this substance's net magnetic moment is zero.In this scenario, an atomic dipole exists.The atomic dipole aligns with the direction of the applied external magnetic field when an external magnetic field is applied.

Paramagnetic materials are weakly magnetised in the direction of the magnetising field in this manner.The existence of unpaired electrons in the material or the partial alignment of randomly oriented atomic dipoles along the field cause paramagnetism. The following are examples of paramagnetic materials,
- Tungsten
- Caesium
- Aluminium
- Lithium
- Magnesium
- Sodium

Note: Because only a small proportion of the spins are directed by the field, there is only a modest amount of induced magnetization even when the field is present. The linear dependency is explained by the fact that this percentage is proportionate to the field strength. The attraction experienced by ferromagnetic materials is non-linear and significantly greater, as may be seen, for example, in the attraction between a refrigerator magnet and the refrigerator's iron.