Paramagnetic: Definition, Terms and Examples

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Jasmine Grover

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The lone electron found in an orbital is termed a paramagnetic electron. The orbital always has a net spin because the spin of the lone electron in an orbital does not get cancelled out. The whole atom will have a net spin if even one orbital has a net spin because of the lone electron. When an atom contains at least one paramagnetic electron, then it is considered to be paramagnetic. There may be 10 diamagnetic (paired) electrons in an atom, but as long as there is even a single unpaired electron, then it is still considered to be a paramagnetic atom.

Key Terms: Pramagnetic atom, quantum mechanical system, magnetic field, ferromagnet, diamagnetism, uantum numbers.


What is Paramagnetism?

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Paramagnetic atoms are slightly attracted to a magnetic field. Due to the external magnetic field, the electron paths get realigned resulting in the properties of paramagnet. There is no retention of any magnetization of a paramagnet in the absence of a magnetic field externally applied because the spin orientation is randomized by the spin orientation.

The lone electron found in an orbital is termed a paramagnetic electron. When an atom contains at least one paramagnetic electron, then it is considered to be paramagnetic. In simple terms, there may be 10 diamagnetic (paired) electrons in an atom, but as long as there is even a single unpaired electron, then it is still considered to be a paramagnetic atom.

When d or f electrons are involved, we can observe a stronger magnetic effect. On a lanthanide atom, the size of the magnetic moment can be really large. In the case of gadolinium, it can carry up to 7 unpaired electrons. That is one of the major reasons why they use it in MRI.

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Terms of Paramagnetic

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By external applied magnetic field, the paramagnetic materials will get attracted and form internal induced magnetic fields.

These fields are induced in the direction of the applied magnetic field.

The state of a quantum mechanical system is specified by the certain integers of quantum number one. This is like an electron in an atom.

We can also majorly witness MRI, a technique used in radiology termed as a medical imaging technique to investigate the physiology and anatomy of the body in both disease and health-related issues.


How Paramagnetism works

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In a material’s molecules or atoms, there will be a presence of at least one unpaired electron spin that results in Paramagnetism.

If there are any incompletely filled atomic orbitals of an atom possessed by any material, it is then termed paramagnetic.

The unpaired electrons spin gives them a moment of a magnetic dipole. Within a material, each unpaired electrons pretend as a tiny magnet.

The spin of the electron aligns with the field when a magnetic field is applied externally. In the same way, the material is attracted to the field, all the unpaired electrons are aligned.

The spins return to their random procedure when the external fields are taken away.

Curie’s Law

M = χH = CH/T

As per Curie's law, the χ (magnetic susceptibility) is proportional inversely to temperature.

M = Magnetization

H = Auxiliary magnetic field

T = Temperature (Kelvin)

C = Curie constant (material specific)

χ = Magnetic susceptibility


Examples of Paramagnetism

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The best examples of Paramagnetism are oxygen (O2), Iron Oxide (FeO), transition metal complexes, coordination complex myoglobin.

Metallic elements such as titanium and aluminium are also paramagnetic.

In the case of superparamagnetic, ferrofluids are the best setting examples. Micromagnets are the term used to define solid superparamagnetic.

ClN2 is an example of diamagnetism.


Types of Magnetism

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There are four categories of magnetic materials, and they are, Paramagnetism, diamagnetism, ferromagnetism, and antiferromagnetic. 

Ferromagnetism is considered to be the strongest form of magnetism.

The most weakly attracted material to a magnetic field is paramagnet. Above certain temperature antiferromagnetic. Materials will turn paramagnetic.

The weakest repelled material to a magnetic field is diamagnetic. Diamagnetic examples are antimony and bismuth

The most strongly attracted material to a magnetic field is ferromagnet. Two materials can remain magnetized over time and are ferrimagnetic material and ferromagnetic material.


Diamagnetism

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The spin quantum numbers of electrons will be the same when two electrons share the same orbital. 

The first electron must have “spin up” with ms = +½

The second electron must have “spin down” ms = -½

To determine the total spin in an electron orbital, this process is very important. By adding the spin quantum number together, we can decide whether an electron's spin has been cancelled. An electron is called a diamagnetic electron when both electrons are paired together in an orbital or 0 is their total spin.

Consider clockwise and anticlockwise as their spins. This will eventually result in a balanced form thus leaving no leftover rotations as one spin will be clockwise and the other will be anticlockwise. Electrons will end up cancelling each other because as they are in the same orbital always have contrary values for their spin quantum numbers.

The orbital cannot have any leftover spins when it contains two electrons.

To determine the magnetic properties of an atom, the electronic spin is considered to be very important. The atom is considered to be diamagnetic, and its total spin will be zero in each orbital when all the electrons are paired up in an atom and share an orbital with other electrons.


Things to Remember

Following are some important points:

  • Paramagnetic Electron is termed as the lone electron found in an orbital.
  • There is no retention of any magnetization of a paramagnet in the absence of a magnetic field externally applied.
  • The state of a quantum mechanical system is specified by the certain integers of quantum number one.
  • There are 4 types of Magnetism which includes Paramagnetism, diamagnetism, ferromagnetism, and antiferromagnetic.
  • oxygen (O2), Iron Oxide (FeO), transition metal complexes, coordination complex myoglobin are some examples of Paramagnetism.

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Sample Questions

Ques: How to identify if a substance is Diamagnetic or Paramagnetic? (2 Marks)

Ans: By examining the electron configuration, we can determine the magnetic properties of a substance. If the electrons are unpaired then it's a paramagnetic substance. If the electrons are paired, then it's a diamagnetic substance. The basic process includes writing the electron configuration, drawing the valence orbitals, having to confirm that unpaired electrons do not exist, and finally concluding by saying whether the substance is diamagnetic or paramagnetic.

Ques: How does Paramagnetism work? (2 Marks)

Ans: In a material’s molecules or atoms, there will be a presence of at least one unpaired electron spin that results in Paramagnetism. If there are any incompletely filled atomic orbitals of an atom possessed by any material, it is then termed paramagnetic. The unpaired electrons spin gives them a moment of a magnetic dipole. Within a material, each unpaired electrons pretend as a tiny magnet. The spin of the electron aligns with the field when a magnetic field is applied externally. In the same way, the material is attracted to the field, all the unpaired electrons are aligned.

Ques: Give an example for Paramagnetism? (2 Marks)

Ans: The best examples of Paramagnetism are oxygen (O2), Iron Oxide (FeO), transition metal complexes, coordination complex myoglobin. Metallic elements such as titanium and aluminium are also paramagnetic. In the case of superparamagnetic, ferrofluids are the best setting examples. Micromagnets are the term used to define solid superparamagnetic. ClN2 is an example of diamagnetism. 

Ques: What is a Paramagnetic electron? (2 Marks)

Ans: The lone electron found in an orbital is termed a paramagnetic electron. The orbital always has a net spin because the spin of the lone electron in an orbital does not get cancelled out. The whole atom will have a net spin if even one orbital has a net spin because of the lone electron. When an atom contains at least one paramagnetic electron, then it is considered to be paramagnetic.

Ques: What are different types of magnetism? (2 Marks)

Ans: There are four categories of magnetic materials, and they are, Paramagnetism, diamagnetism, ferromagnetism, and antiferromagnetic. Ferromagnetism is considered to be the strongest form of magnetism. The most weakly attracted material to a magnetic field is paramagnet. Above certain temperature antiferromagnetic. Materials will turn paramagnetic. The weakest repelled material to a magnetic field is diamagnetic. Diamagnetic examples are antimony and bismuth.

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