Antiferromagnetism and electronic config.

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the relationship between electronic configurations of elements and their magnetic ordering, specifically focusing on antiferromagnetism and ferromagnetism. Participants explore how these properties can be predicted or understood in the context of para-ferro/antiferro transitions.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions how to determine if an element will exhibit antiferromagnetic or ferromagnetic order based solely on its electronic configuration, noting the significance of exchange interactions (J>0 for ferromagnetism and J<0 for antiferromagnetism).
  • Another participant suggests that the magnetism of an atom is influenced by electron spin, angular momentum, and the effects of external fields, recommending a statistical approach to understanding these configurations.
  • A different viewpoint asserts that predicting ferro/antiferro-magnetic order cannot be done merely from electronic configurations and requires advanced band-structure calculations.
  • One participant references a book that poses a question about the magnetic properties of metallic Fe and Cr, suggesting that the electronic configuration might provide insights, despite the lack of mention of band theory in the text.
  • Another participant proposes that the alignment of magnetic moments with an external magnetic field could be a way to address the question regarding the magnetic properties of these metals.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on whether electronic configurations alone can predict magnetic ordering, with some arguing for the necessity of advanced calculations while others believe there may be a connection. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the best approach to understanding these phenomena.

Contextual Notes

There are limitations in the discussion regarding the assumptions made about the relationship between electronic configurations and magnetic properties, as well as the dependence on definitions of magnetic order. The role of band theory and statistical methods is also not fully explored.

Talker1500
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Hi,

I'm studying para-ferro/antiferro transitions, and I have a doubt: how can I know, starting with the electronic configuration of a given element, if it will have antiferromagnetic o ferromagnetic order? Obviously one has J>0 and the other J<0, but I don't see how it relates to the electronic config.

Thanks
 
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Talker1500 said:
Hi,

I'm studying para-ferro/antiferro transitions, and I have a doubt: how can I know, starting with the electronic configuration of a given element, if it will have antiferromagnetic o ferromagnetic order? Obviously one has J>0 and the other J<0, but I don't see how it relates to the electronic config.

Thanks

Hi Talker1500:
as far as i know,the magnetism of an atom is due to 1.electron's spin+2.L of electrons+3.the change that external field can have on them.
for a configurations of atoms with their electron in a matter,you should solve the problem statistically.
you'd better to take a look at "introduction to solid state physics" by Charles Kittel,chapter 14(i think)(paramagnetism and diamagnetism).at the beginning of this chapter you can find good result.
inform us if you find any.
thank you.
 
You can't predict ferro/antiferro-magnetic order from just looking at the electronic configuration of an element.
This can only be predicted using sophisticated band-structure calculations.
 
I asked because I was reading a book a couple days ago (I think it was Blundell's), and there was a question at the end of the chapter "Ferromagnetic and Antiferromagnetic order", that posed that exact question: why is metallic Fe ferromagnetic and metallic Cr antiferromagnetic?.

I figured that the only way to know given the theory explained in the chapter would be using the electronic configuration, as there is no mention of band theory based calculations for this question.
 
Talker1500 said:
I asked because I was reading a book a couple days ago (I think it was Blundell's), and there was a question at the end of the chapter "Ferromagnetic and Antiferromagnetic order", that posed that exact question: why is metallic Fe ferromagnetic and metallic Cr antiferromagnetic?.

I figured that the only way to know given the theory explained in the chapter would be using the electronic configuration, as there is no mention of band theory based calculations for this question.

i think you can answer this question according to the abillity of the magnetic moments to get alighned with the external magnetic field or not.
 
Last edited:

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