Question

Describe the various types of magnetic substances with the help of electron spin and explain their characteristics.

Answer 1

The process by which different substances behave in magnetic fields varies. We can divide the substances into the following categories based on their response to magnetic fields.

1. Diamagnetic substances: The substances which are weakly repelled by the magnetic fields are known as diamagnetic substances. Diamagnetic materials have orbitals that are fully filled, meaning that every electron in them is coupled.
2. Paramagnetic substances: The substances which are attracted by the magnetic fields are called paramagnetic substances. These compounds have permanent magnetic dipoles because they include atoms, ions, or molecules containing unpaired electrons.
3. Ferromagnetic substances: The substances which are strongly attracted by magnetic fields and show permanent magnetism even in the absence of a magnetic field are called ferromagnetic substances. Once such a substance is magnetised, it remains permanent.
4. Antiferromagnetic substances: The substances which possess zero net magnetic moment in spite of the presence of unpaired electrons are called antiferromagnetic substances. Because they have unpaired electrons, antiferromagnetic materials should be ferromagnetic or paramagnetic, but in reality, they have a net zero magnetic moment.
5. Ferrimagnetic substances: The substances which possess only small net magnetic moments inspite of a large number of unpaired electrons are called ferrimagnetic substances. For example, ferrimagnetic Fe₃O₄ becomes paramagnetic when heated to 850 K.