Diamagnetism

Definition

Diamagnetism is a property of materials that causes them to be repelled by a magnetic field. This occurs due to the paired electrons in the material's atoms, which generate a small magnetic field in the opposite direction when exposed to an external magnetic field. Unlike paramagnetic or ferromagnetic substances, diamagnetic materials do not have unpaired electrons, resulting in a very weak and negative susceptibility to magnetism.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Diamagnetic materials are usually nonmetals or certain metal compounds, like copper and bismuth, which show very weak magnetic responses.
2. The effect of diamagnetism is very weak compared to paramagnetism and ferromagnetism and can often be overshadowed by these stronger forms of magnetism.
3. In a uniform magnetic field, diamagnetic materials will tend to move away from regions of higher magnetic intensity.
4. Diamagnetism is temperature-independent, meaning it does not change with variations in temperature, unlike some paramagnetic and ferromagnetic effects.
5. Common examples of diamagnetic materials include water, quartz, and graphite, which can exhibit slight levitation effects in strong magnetic fields.

Review Questions

• How does the presence of paired electrons in a material lead to its diamagnetic properties?
  • The presence of paired electrons means that their magnetic moments cancel each other out. When an external magnetic field is applied, these paired electrons create a very weak magnetic field in the opposite direction, resulting in the material being repelled from the magnetic field. This unique behavior distinguishes diamagnetic materials from those with unpaired electrons, which experience attraction.
• Compare and contrast diamagnetism with paramagnetism and ferromagnetism regarding their electron configurations and responses to an external magnetic field.
  • Diamagnetism occurs in materials with all paired electrons, leading to a very weak repulsion from a magnetic field. In contrast, paramagnetism arises in materials with unpaired electrons that align with an external field, resulting in attraction. Ferromagnetism also involves unpaired electrons but features a strong and permanent alignment of these spins even without an external magnetic field. This makes ferromagnetic materials capable of retaining magnetization once the external field is removed.
• Evaluate the implications of diamagnetism in coordination compounds and how this property affects their applications in various fields.
  • Diamagnetism plays a crucial role in understanding the magnetic properties of coordination compounds. Many such compounds exhibit diamagnetic behavior due to their electron configuration, especially when they have fully filled d-orbitals. This characteristic affects their applications in areas like MRI technology and materials science, where non-magnetic properties are desired for specific functions. As research progresses, understanding how these compounds behave magnetically could lead to advancements in designing new materials with tailored properties.

Related terms

Paramagnetism: A form of magnetism that occurs in materials with unpaired electrons, which are attracted into an external magnetic field.

Ferromagnetism: A strong form of magnetism that occurs in materials like iron, where unpaired electrons align with an external magnetic field, creating a lasting magnetization.

Magnetic Susceptibility: A measure of how much a material will become magnetized in an applied magnetic field, with diamagnetic materials having negative susceptibility.