Explaining paramagnetism, diamagnetism, and ferromagnetism

[physics231]

I have a short paper to write this weekend and my physics book doesn't do a very good job of explaining paramagnetism, diamagnetism, and ferromagnetism. Anyone know a good website that gives similarities and differences among those 3 types of magnetism? Thank you.

 

[ZapperZ]

http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/Hbase/solids/magpr.html#c1

Zz.

 

[astrokreng]

Sure, I would be happy to explain paramagnetism, diamagnetism, and ferromagnetism for you. These are all different types of magnetism that occur in materials.

Paramagnetism occurs in materials that have unpaired electrons, meaning that the electrons in the material do not have a partner to pair their spin with. These unpaired electrons have a magnetic moment, which means that they act like tiny magnets and can be influenced by an external magnetic field. When an external magnetic field is applied, the unpaired electrons align with the field, causing the material to become weakly magnetic. Examples of paramagnetic materials include aluminum, platinum, and oxygen.

On the other hand, diamagnetism occurs in materials that have all of their electrons paired up. In these materials, the paired electrons cancel out each other's magnetic moments, making the material non-magnetic. When an external magnetic field is applied, the paired electrons do not align with the field and the material experiences a weak repulsion. Examples of diamagnetic materials include copper, gold, and water.

Ferromagnetism is the strongest type of magnetism and occurs in materials that have unpaired electrons and also have a strong interaction between these electrons. In these materials, the unpaired electrons align their magnetic moments with each other, creating a strong magnetic field that is not easily affected by external fields. This alignment of magnetic moments also causes the material to retain its magnetism even after the external field is removed. Examples of ferromagnetic materials include iron, nickel, and cobalt.

I understand that your physics book may not have provided a clear explanation of these concepts. Some good websites to learn more about paramagnetism, diamagnetism, and ferromagnetism include HyperPhysics by Georgia State University and Physics Classroom. These websites provide detailed explanations and examples of these types of magnetism, as well as their similarities and differences. I hope this helps and good luck with your paper.