Structural alignment in ferromagnetism

[sci-guy]

Is it enough/correct to say "the atoms are aligned" in a ferromagnet, or must you specify that "the electrons (or their spin) are aligned"?

 

[ZapperZ]

Is it enough/correct to say "the atoms are aligned" in a ferromagnet, or must you specify that "the electrons (or their spin) are aligned"?

Look at the logic and physics of the statement. Atoms can be aligned and yet, it doesn't result in a ferromagnet material. That is what a crystal lattice is, a set of atoms in a regular patttern, thus "aligned" in terms of position. This means that there needs to be a more specific characteristic to cause ferromagnetism.

Zz.

 

[sci-guy]

Thanks, that's what I thought, except I read an explanation citing atom alignment -- guess he was speaking loosely.