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aarond90
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Explain how an atom may have a permanent magnetic dipole moment?
Many thanks...
Many thanks...
An atom can obtain a permanent magnetic dipole moment through the alignment of its electrons' spin and orbit. When the electrons' spin and orbit are aligned in the same direction, a magnetic field is created, resulting in a permanent magnetic dipole moment.
No, not all atoms have a permanent magnetic dipole moment. Atoms with an odd number of electrons or an unpaired electron have a permanent magnetic dipole moment due to the unpaired electron's spin. Atoms with an even number of electrons or all paired electrons do not have a permanent magnetic dipole moment.
At high temperatures, the alignment of an atom's electrons' spin and orbit becomes random, resulting in no net magnetic field and no permanent magnetic dipole moment. At low temperatures, the alignment becomes more ordered, resulting in a stronger permanent magnetic dipole moment.
Yes, an external magnetic field can align an atom's electrons' spin and orbit in the direction of the field, resulting in a stronger permanent magnetic dipole moment. This effect is known as paramagnetism and is temporary, as the alignment disappears once the external field is removed.
An atom's permanent magnetic dipole moment is significant as it allows atoms to interact with external magnetic fields and play a role in various physical phenomena, such as magnetism, electricity, and chemical bonding. It also plays a crucial role in the functioning of many electronic devices, such as hard drives and MRI machines.