Magnetic Materials

Types of magnetic materials

On the basis of mutual interactions or behavior of various materials
in an external magnetic field, the materials are divided in three
main categories.
(i) Diamagnetic materials: Diamagnetism is the intrinsic property
of every material and it is generated due to mutual interaction
between the applied magnetic field and orbital motion of electrons.
(ii) Paramagnetic materials: In these substances the inner orbits
of atoms are incomplete. The electron spins are uncoupled,
consequently on applying a magnetic field the magnetic moment
generated due to spin motion align in the direction of magnetic field
and induces magnetic moment in its direction due to which the
material gets feebly magnetized. In these materials the electron
number is odd.

(iii) Ferromagnetic materials: In some materials, the permanent

atomic magnetic moments have strong tendency to align themselves even
without any external field.
These materials are called ferromagnetic materials.
In every unmagnetised ferromagnetic material, the atoms form domains
inside the material. The atoms in any domain have magnetic moments in
the same direction giving a net large magnetic moment to the domain.
Different domains, however, have different directions of magnetic
moment and hence the materials remain unmagnetised. On applying an
external magnetic field, these domains rotate and align in the
direction of magnetic field.

COMPARATIVE STUDY OF MAGNETIC MATERIALS

Property
Cause of
magnetism

Diamagnetic substances
Orbital motion of
electrons

Paramagnetic
substances

Ferromagnetic
substances

Spin motion of electrons Formation of domains

Explanation On the basis of orbital

of magnetism motion of electrons

On the basis of spin and On the basis of doma

orbital motion of
formed
electrons

Behaviour In These are repelled in an

a nonexternal magnetic field
uniform
i.e. have a tendency to
magnetic
move from high to low
field
field region.

These are feebly

attracted in an external
magnetic field i.e.,
have a tendency to move
from low to high field
region

These are strongly

attracted in an exte
magnetic field i.e.
easily move from low
high field region

State of
These are weekly
magnetisatio magnetised in a
n
direction opposite to
that of applied magnetic
field

These get weekly

magnetised in the
direction of applied
magnetic field

These get strongly

magnetised in the
direction of applied
magnetic field

When the
Liquid level in that
material in limb gets depressed
the form of
liquid is
filled in
the U-tube
and placed
between pole
pieces.

Liquid level in that

limb rises up

Liquid level in that

limb rises up very m

On placing
The gas expands at right
The gas expands in the
The gas rapidly
the gaseous angles to the magnetic
direction of magnetic
expands in the direc
materials
field.
field.
of magnetic field
between pole
pieces
The value
of magnetic
induction B

B < B0

B > B0

B >> B0

where B0 is the magnetic induction in vacuum

Magnetic
Low and negative ||
susceptibili 1
ty

Low but positive 1

Positive and
high 102

Dependence
of on
temperature

Inversely proportional
to temperature
1/T or = C/T.This is
called Curie law,
where C = Curie constant

1/T-Tc or =
C/T-Tc.This is calle
Curie Weiss law.
Tc = Curie temperatu

Does not depend on

temperature (except Bi
at low temperature)

Dependence
of on H

Does not depend

independent

Does not depend

independent

Does not depend

independent

Relative
r < 1
permeability
(r)

r > 1

r >> 1
r = 102

Intensity of I is in a direction
magnetisatio opposite to that of H
n (I)
and its value is very
low

I is in the direction of I is in the directio

H but value is low
H and value is very
high.

I-H curves

Magnetic
moment (M)

The value of M is very

low ( 0 and is in a
direction opposite to
H.)

The value of M is very

low and is in the
direction of H

The value of M is ve
high and is in the
direction of H

Transition
These do not change.
of materials
(at Curie
temperature)

On cooling, these get

converted to
ferromagnetic materials
at Curie temperature

These get converted

paramagnetic materia
above Curie temperat

The property Diamagnetism is found in

of magnetism those materials the
atoms of which have even
number electrons

Paramagnetism is found
in those materials the
atoms of which have
majority of electron
spins in the same
direction

Ferro-magnetism is f
in those materials w
when placed in an
external magnetic fi
are strongly magneti

Examples

Cu, Ag, Au, Zn, Bi, Sb,

NaCl, H2O air and
diamond etc.

Al, Mn, Pt, Na, CuCl2,

O2and crown glass

Fe, Co, Ni, Cd,

Fe3O4 etc.

Nature of
effect

Distortion effect

Orientation effect

Hysteresis effect

Solved example 1: A small rod of bismuth is suspended freely

between the poles of a strong electromagnet. It is found to arrange
itself at right angles to the magnetic field. This observation
establishes that bismuth is
(A) Diamagnetic

(B) Paramagnetic

(C) Ferri-magnetic
magnetic

(D) Antiferro-

Solution: (A)A diamagnetic rod set itself perpendicular to the field

if free to rotate between the poles of a magnet as in this situation
the field is strongest near the poles.