Paramagnet

A paramagnet is a material that exhibits paramagnetism, a form of magnetism where the material is only weakly attracted to an externally applied magnetic field, and only when that field is present. The attraction arises from the presence of unpaired electrons within the material's atoms or ions. These unpaired electrons have a magnetic dipole moment and tend to align themselves with the external field, enhancing the magnetic field in the material, but only temporarily. Unlike ferromagnets, paramagnets lose their magnetism when the external field is removed, exhibiting only a weak, induced magnetization. The effect is temperature-dependent and diminishes with increasing temperature as thermal agitation disrupts the alignment of the magnetic dipoles.

Paramagnet meaning with examples

• Oxygen gas is a common example of a paramagnet, its weak magnetic properties observable through experimentation. It can be weakly attracted to a powerful magnet, which helps explain how it moves through the human body and its affinity for oxygen.
• Aluminum and platinum are other examples of paramagnetic substances that respond weakly to magnetic fields. These materials are utilized in a lot of applications and show little permanent magnetism, which separates them from strong magnets.
• Paramagnetic contrast agents, such as gadolinium-based compounds, are used in medical imaging (MRI) to enhance the contrast of certain tissues and organs. Their behavior is key in that application.
• Certain transition metals and their ions, with their partially filled electron shells, often exhibit paramagnetism. This is tied to their unique electron configurations. The magnetic properties of the ions can be tuned depending on their valency.
• Researchers study the paramagnetic properties of materials to understand their electronic structure and behavior. By probing how materials react to magnetic fields, it helps identify electron organization.