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Difference Between Diamagnetic, Paramagnetic, and Ferromagnetic Materials

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What are Diamagnetic, Paramagnetic, and Ferromagnetic Materials?

Materials react differently to magnetic fields based on their electron arrangements. Diamagnetic materials repel magnets, paramagnetic materials get weakly attracted, and ferromagnetic materials strongly attract magnets and can retain magnetism. These properties affect how materials behave in everyday applications like electronics and medical devices. Lets understand the major differences between diamagnetic, paramagnetic and ferromagnetic materials.


Difference Between Diamagnetic, Paramagnetic, and Ferromagnetic Materials

Property

Diamagnetic

Paramagnetic

Ferromagnetic

Magnetic Response

Repelled by a magnet

Weakly attracted

Strongly attracted

Retains Magnetism?

No

No

Yes, even after removing the magnet

Examples

Gold, silver, copper, water

Aluminium, calcium, oxygen

Iron, cobalt, nickel

Magnetic Field Effect

Creates a weak opposing field

Aligns with an external field

Strong alignment with a permanent field

Curie Law Applied?

No

Yes

Yes (loses magnetism above Curie temperature)


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FAQs on Difference Between Diamagnetic, Paramagnetic, and Ferromagnetic Materials

1. What is the difference between a ferromagnetic material and a paramagnetic material?

Ferromagnetic materials strongly attract magnets and retain magnetism, like iron and nickel. Paramagnetic materials, like aluminium and calcium, are weakly attracted and do not stay magnetised.

2. What is the difference between diamagnetic and paramagnetic elements?

Diamagnetic elements repel magnets and have paired electrons. Paramagnetic elements are weakly attracted to magnets due to unpaired electrons.

3. Is gold paramagnetic or diamagnetic?

Gold is diamagnetic, meaning it repels magnetic fields slightly.

4. Is water paramagnetic or diamagnetic?

Water is diamagnetic because it weakly repels magnetic fields.

5. Is silver paramagnetic or diamagnetic?

Silver is diamagnetic, as it does not attract magnetic fields.

6. What are examples of diamagnetic materials?

Common diamagnetic materials include gold, silver, copper, bismuth, and water.

7. What is B and H in a hysteresis loop?

  • B (Magnetic Flux Density)- The strength of the magnetic field inside a material.

  • H (Magnetising Force)- The external force applied to magnetise the material.

8. What are the three main differences between diamagnetic and ferromagnetic materials?

  1. Magnetic Response- Diamagnetic materials repel magnets; ferromagnetic materials attract and retain magnetism.

  2. Magnetic Retention- Ferromagnetic materials stay magnetised; diamagnetic ones do not.

  3. Common Examples- Diamagnetic - gold, silver; Ferromagnetic - iron, nickel.

9. Is calcium paramagnetic or diamagnetic?

Calcium is paramagnetic in its atomic form but diamagnetic in its solid state.

10. What is Curie’s Law?

Curie’s Law states that a material’s magnetisation is directly proportional to the applied magnetic field and inversely proportional to its temperature.

11. What is an example of a ferromagnetic material?

Iron, nickel, and cobalt are common examples of ferromagnetic materials.