Ferromagnetism in 3d metals such as Iron (Fe), Cobalt (Co), and Nickel (Ni) is primarily attributed to their electronic structure, specifically the presence of unpaired d-electrons that allow for parallel spin alignment. The discussion highlights that 3d metals exhibit ferromagnetism due to exchange interactions among these unpaired electrons, while 4f metals, like those in the lanthanide series, demonstrate ferromagnetism through different mechanisms, including localized f-electron interactions. The origin of ferromagnetism varies significantly between 3d and 4f metals, with the former relying on band structure effects and the latter on strong spin-orbit coupling and crystal field effects.
PREREQUISITESPhysicists, materials scientists, and engineers interested in magnetism, particularly those focusing on the properties and applications of ferromagnetic materials in 3d and 4f metals.