How Do Unpaired Electron Orbits React to External Magnetic Fields?

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SUMMARY

Unpaired electron orbits in atoms react distinctly to external magnetic fields, exhibiting both paramagnetism and diamagnetism. When exposed to a magnetic field, atoms with paired electrons experience a net torque of zero, leading to a dominant diamagnetic effect due to changes in orbital velocities. Conversely, atoms with unpaired electrons experience a non-zero torque, resulting in a stronger paramagnetic effect that aligns the orbitals with the external magnetic field. This phenomenon is crucial for understanding magnetic properties in materials.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of quantum mechanics principles
  • Familiarity with magnetic field interactions
  • Knowledge of electron configurations and orbital theory
  • Basic concepts of paramagnetism and diamagnetism
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the mathematical formulation of torque on electron orbits in magnetic fields
  • Study the differences between paramagnetic and diamagnetic materials
  • Explore the implications of unpaired electrons in transition metals
  • Investigate experimental methods for measuring magnetic susceptibility
USEFUL FOR

Physicists, materials scientists, and students studying quantum mechanics and magnetism will benefit from this discussion, particularly those interested in the behavior of atoms in magnetic fields.

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Please confirm & answer the following:

An atom exposed to an external B-field will experience both a torque on its orbitals (paramagnetism), and a change in orbital velocities and thereby a change in the magnetic momenta of the orbits (diamagnetism).

When the atom has all paired electrons, the net torque is zero so the phenomenon resulting from the change in orbital velocity dominates.

But, when the atom has an unpaired electron, the net torque on that orbital is non-zero. Question: So do these orbitals physically re-orient themselves to align with the Bexternal?
but the diamagnetic effect/influence is still present. Question: For atoms with unpaired electrons, why does the paramagnetic effect always win?
 
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