Question

Which one of the below is a paramagnetic material?
1. Nickel
2. Soft iron
3. Magnesium
4. Hard iron

Answer 1

Correct Answer - Option 3 : Magnesium

Diamagnetic materials

• Weak, negative susceptibility to magnetic fields
• Diamagnetic materials are slightly repelled by a magnetic field
• All the electrons are paired so there is no permanent net magnetic moment per atom
• Most elements in the periodic table, including copper, silver, and gold, are diamagnetic

Paramagnetic materials

• Small, positive susceptibility to magnetic fields
• These materials are slightly attracted by a magnetic field
• Paramagnetic properties are due to the presence of some unpaired electrons, and from the realignment of the electron paths caused by the external magnetic field
• Paramagnetic materials include magnesium, molybdenum, lithium, and tantalum

Ferromagnetic materials

• Have a large, positive susceptibility to an external magnetic field
• They exhibit a strong attraction to magnetic fields and can retain their magnetic properties after the external field has been removed
• Ferromagnetic materials have some unpaired electrons, so their atoms have a net magnetic moment
• Iron, nickel, and cobalt are examples of ferromagnetic materials.