Internet Encyclopedia of Science
ELECTRICITY & MAGNETISM
A  B  C  D  E  F  G  H  I  J  K  L  M  N  O  P  Q  R  S  T  U  V  W  X  Y  Z

                   HOME
ABOUT
CATEGORIES
USE OF TEXT AND IMAGES
NEWSLETTER

  



diamagnetism



The type of magnetism occurring in substances with a small negative magnetic susceptibility and a relative permeability (μr ) of less than unity. It is caused by changes in the orbital motion of the electrons in the atoms of the substance and is sometimes masked by the much stronger paramagnetism and ferromagnetism. In diamagnetism, the individual induced magnetic moments oppose the external field, so there is no overall magnetic moment. There is also no temperature dependence.

Diamagnetic materials are very weakly repelled by magnetic fields. The atoms or molecules of diamagnetic materials contain no unpaired spins. Examples of diagmagnetic materials includes all elements with filled shells (i.e., all noble gases), molecular hydrogen (H2), copper (Cu), bismuth (Bi), water (H2O), sodium chloride (NaCl), and all ions of alkali metals or halogens.


Related category

   • ELECTRICITY AND MAGNETISM


Also on this site:

Encyclopedia of Alternative Energy & Sustainable Living
Encyclopedia of History





BACK TO TOP