Comparison Table: Diamagnetic vs Paramagnetic vs Ferromagnetic Materials
Properties Of Diamagnetic Paramagnetic And Ferromagnetic Materials are central for understanding magnetism in JEE Main Physics. These categories help explain how substances interact with external magnetic fields. Each material type displays unique characteristics due to atomic structure and electron arrangement.
In JEE Main, questions commonly ask you to distinguish between diamagnetic, paramagnetic, and ferromagnetic materials. You’ll encounter these distinctions in chapters covering magnetic effects of current and magnetism and ferromagnetic materials.
Let’s explore concise definitions, atomic factors, and practical contrasts within properties of diamagnetic paramagnetic and ferromagnetic materials using NCERT-aligned properties, tables, and examples for effective JEE Main prep.
Definitions and Key Atomic Explanations of Properties Of Diamagnetic Paramagnetic And Ferromagnetic Materials
Diamagnetic materials are substances whose atoms have all paired electrons. When placed in an external magnetic field, they develop a weak magnetic moment opposite to the field, causing a slight repulsion.
Paramagnetic materials contain one or more unpaired electrons per atom. These unpaired electrons make the atoms behave like small magnets, weakly aligning in the direction of the applied magnetic field.
Ferromagnetic materials, like iron, cobalt, and nickel, have many unpaired electrons and strong atomic interactions. Their atomic dipoles align in large groups called domains, resulting in strong attraction and permanent magnetism.
Understanding magnetic dipole alignment is crucial. In diamagnetics, dipoles oppose the field. Paramagnetics weakly align with it, but randomize when the field is off. Ferromagnetics retain alignment even after removing the field due to strong exchange forces, giving rise to hysteresis.
Comparison Table: Properties Of Diamagnetic Paramagnetic And Ferromagnetic Materials
| Property | Diamagnetic | Paramagnetic | Ferromagnetic |
|---|---|---|---|
| Susceptibility (χ) | Negative, small | Positive, small | Positive, large |
| Relative permeability (μr) | Less than 1 | Slightly more than 1 | Much greater than 1 |
| Response to external field | Weakly repelled | Weakly attracted | Strongly attracted |
| Atomic dipole alignment | Opposite to field | With the field, random otherwise | Aligned, even without field |
| Examples | Bismuth, copper, silver | Aluminum, platinum, oxygen | Iron, cobalt, nickel |
| Temperature effect | Almost none | Decreases with rise | Lost above Curie temperature |
| Magnetization in strong field | Does not increase | Increases, but weakly | Rises rapidly, can saturate |
Key Differences, Common Examples, and Typical Pitfalls
- Diamagnetic materials: all electrons paired, weak repulsion from fields, e.g., copper, bismuth.
- Paramagnetic substances: some unpaired electrons, attract field weakly, e.g., aluminum, magnesium.
- Ferromagnetic elements: many unpaired electrons, show strong attraction and domain formation, e.g., iron, cobalt.
- Key exam pitfall: Confusing field response direction for diamagnetic (always opposes field).
- Remember: Only ferromagnetic materials can retain magnetism after removal of the field (hysteresis loop).
- Magnetic lines of force are expelled from diamagnetics but concentrated in ferromagnetics.
Applications of Diamagnetic, Paramagnetic, and Ferromagnetic Substances in Physics
- Diamagnetic: Magnetic levitation, quantum experiments, MRI shielding (e.g., bismuth plates).
- Paramagnetic: Oxygen in magnetic resonance, some electronic devices.
- Ferromagnetic: Core of transformers, storage drives, electromagnets, everyday magnets.
- JEE Main numericals often focus on magnetic permeability or susceptibility differences.
JEE Main Preparation Tips: Properties Of Diamagnetic Paramagnetic And Ferromagnetic Materials
- Revise comparison tables just before the Physics exam for instant recall.
- Practice MCQs on susceptibility (χ), permeability (μ), and domain alignment for each type.
- Don’t confuse ferromagnetic domain retention with temporary induced magnetism in paramagnets.
- Remember Curie temperature—the point above which ferromagnetics become paramagnetic.
- Highlight formula relations: M = χH and B = μ0(H + M).
- Use magnetism revision notes and mock test series for rapid improvement.
Worked Example: When a magnetic field is applied, aluminum (paramagnetic, χ > 0) is weakly attracted, but copper (diamagnetic, χ < 0) is repelled.
Suppose B = 0.1 T is the field and χ = 2 × 10-5 for aluminum. The magnetization is M = χH.
If H = 8 × 104 A/m, M = (2 × 10-5) × (8 × 104) = 1.6 A/m (weak, but positive).
For more practice, attempt magnetism questions here.
- For deeper understanding, use atomic structure and magnetic moment pages.
- Explore electrostatics for allied concepts relevant to JEE Mains.
In summary, understanding the properties of diamagnetic paramagnetic and ferromagnetic materials means mastering atomic alignment, susceptibility, application, and temperature effects. Use summary tables and Vedantu resources for revision and higher scores.
Download this concise topic summary in PDF for rapid revision before your next JEE Main test. Trust Vedantu for the most exam-focused Physics guidance.
FAQs on Properties and Differences of Diamagnetic, Paramagnetic and Ferromagnetic Materials
1. What are the properties of diamagnetic, paramagnetic, and ferromagnetic substances?
Diamagnetic, paramagnetic, and ferromagnetic substances have unique magnetic properties based on their response to external magnetic fields.
Key properties:
- Diamagnetic: Weakly repelled by a magnetic field, have all paired electrons, and negative magnetic susceptibility.
- Paramagnetic: Weakly attracted by a magnetic field, contain unpaired electrons, and have small positive susceptibility.
- Ferromagnetic: Strongly attracted to magnetic fields, show spontaneous magnetism, have large positive susceptibility, and retain magnetism even after the field is removed.
2. How do you compare the properties of diamagnetic, paramagnetic, and ferromagnetic materials?
Diamagnetic, paramagnetic, and ferromagnetic materials can be compared using several key criteria:
- Origin of Magnetism: Diamagnetic (paired electrons), Paramagnetic (unpaired electrons), Ferromagnetic (domains of aligned electrons).
- Response to Field: Diamagnetic repel, paramagnetic weakly attract, ferromagnetic strongly attract.
- Susceptibility (χ): Diamagnetic (negative), Paramagnetic (small positive), Ferromagnetic (large positive).
- Examples: Diamagnetic: Copper, bismuth. Paramagnetic: Aluminum, platinum. Ferromagnetic: Iron, cobalt, nickel.
3. What is the main difference between paramagnetic and ferromagnetic materials?
The main difference lies in the strength and nature of their magnetic response.
- Paramagnetic materials are weakly attracted to magnetic fields, with random alignment of dipoles unless a field is applied; magnetism is not retained once the field is removed.
- Ferromagnetic materials are strongly attracted, have spontaneously aligned domains even without a field, and can retain magnetization (hysteresis) after removing the external field.
4. Give examples of diamagnetic, paramagnetic, and ferromagnetic materials from NCERT.
Examples of magnetic materials in NCERT include:
- Diamagnetic: Copper, bismuth, silver, gold, lead
- Paramagnetic: Aluminum, platinum, magnesium, molybdenum
- Ferromagnetic: Iron, cobalt, nickel, gadolinium
5. What is a diamagnetic material and its properties?
Diamagnetic materials are substances that are weakly repelled by magnetic fields and have all electrons paired.
Properties:
- Negative magnetic susceptibility (χ < 0)
- Very weak and negative response to a magnetic field
- Do not retain magnetism after removal of the field
- Examples: copper, bismuth, silver
6. What are the differences between diamagnetic, paramagnetic, and ferromagnetic materials?
The differences between diamagnetic, paramagnetic, and ferromagnetic materials stem from electron arrangement and magnetic response:
- Diamagnetic: Paired electrons, weakly repelled, negative susceptibility
- Paramagnetic: Unpaired electrons, weakly attracted, small positive susceptibility
- Ferromagnetic: Unpaired electrons in domains, strongly attracted, large positive susceptibility, retains magnetism
7. Why do diamagnetic materials develop a magnetic moment opposite to the field?
Diamagnetic materials develop a magnetic moment opposite to the applied field due to Lenz's law.
- Induced magnetic moments oppose the change in the applied field
- This behavior results from paired electrons and no net permanent magnetic dipole
- Leads to weak repulsion from external magnetic fields
8. Can a material be both paramagnetic and diamagnetic at the same time?
A material exhibits either paramagnetic or diamagnetic properties primarily, depending on its electron configuration:
- Diamagnetism is present in all materials but may be masked by stronger paramagnetism or ferromagnetism
- If unpaired electrons exist, paramagnetic behavior dominates
- Materials cannot show both effects equally; the effect with larger susceptibility is observed
9. How does temperature affect ferromagnetic behavior?
Temperature has a strong influence on ferromagnetic materials:
- Above the Curie temperature, ferromagnetic materials lose permanent magnetism and become paramagnetic
- Heating disturbs domain alignment, reducing overall magnetization
- This effect is crucial for applications and material selection
10. What is magnetic susceptibility and how does it vary among diamagnetic, paramagnetic, and ferromagnetic substances?
Magnetic susceptibility (χ) measures how much a material will become magnetized in an external magnetic field.
- Diamagnetic: χ is negative and small
- Paramagnetic: χ is positive but small
- Ferromagnetic: χ is positive and very large, often thousands of times stronger than paramagnetic
11. Where are diamagnetic, paramagnetic, and ferromagnetic materials used in real life?
Each type of magnetic material has distinct real-world uses:
- Diamagnetic: Magnetic levitation (maglev), MRI shielding, superconductors
- Paramagnetic: Oxygen measurement devices, MRI contrast agents
- Ferromagnetic: Data storage (hard drives), permanent magnets, transformers, electromagnets
12. What is the significance of electron pairing in determining the type of magnetic material?
Electron pairing plays a fundamental role in magnetic properties:
- Paired electrons (as in diamagnetic materials) cancel out magnetic moments
- Unpaired electrons (in paramagnetic and ferromagnetic materials) contribute a net magnetic moment
- The arrangement and alignment of these moments further dictate the magnetic behavior: random for paramagnetic, aligned for ferromagnetic
