Diamagnet

A diamagnet is a substance that exhibits diamagnetism, a form of magnetism where the material is repelled by a magnetic field. This occurs because the material contains no permanent magnetic dipoles, and when exposed to an external magnetic field, the electrons in the material slightly alter their orbits, creating opposing magnetic dipoles that oppose the external field. Diamagnetism is a universal property, although often very weak, overshadowed by other forms of magnetism like paramagnetism or ferromagnetism in many materials. The strength of diamagnetism depends on the atomic structure and the applied magnetic field strength.

Diamagnet meaning with examples

• Bismuth, a well-known diamagnet, levitates above strong magnets. When a magnetic field is applied, the electrons in bismuth's atoms rearrange, creating a magnetic field that repels the external force. This unique property makes it useful in certain scientific demonstrations and applications. Its diamagnetic nature allows it to interact with the magnetic field, setting it apart from non-magnetic substances.
• Water, also a diamagnetic substance, shows only very weak repulsion in strong magnetic fields. Although subtle, this diamagnetic effect can be measured under controlled laboratory conditions. The minuscule changes in electronic configuration result in a feeble opposition to the external field, which has implications in areas like magnetic resonance imaging where the properties are used.
• Gold, a noble metal, displays diamagnetic behavior due to its filled electron shells. This means it is very weakly repelled by a magnetic field. The core electrons respond to the applied field. Gold's diamagnetism contributes to its overall material properties, alongside its other physical and chemical characteristics. It demonstrates that all matter is diamagnetic to some degree.
• Carbon in certain forms like graphite exhibits diamagnetic properties. The response to a magnetic field arises from electron orbitals, which produce counter fields in response to the applied field. This weak diamagnetism is often overshadowed by other properties, but it illustrates the fundamental magnetic behavior inherent in all materials and their interactions with the fields.
• Superconductors at low temperatures are perfect diamagnets. They completely expel a magnetic field (the Meissner effect). Any applied magnetic field is countered by a surface current, producing a cancelling field inside the superconductor. This is a profound demonstration of diamagnetism, and the phenomenon has led to potential uses, such as maglev trains and high-speed transportation.