To Study the Magnetic Properties of Materials
Submitted By:
Name: Nandini Deepak Pillai
Class: XII
Division: F
Roll No: 21
Subject: Physics
School Name: Aditya English Medium School
Academic Year: 2025–26
Acknowledgment
I would like to express my sincere gratitude to my respected teacher Swapna Kulkarni for
her constant guidance, support, and encouragement during the completion of this project. Her
valuable suggestions and supervision were crucial in helping me understand and complete
this study on magnetic properties of materials.
I am also grateful to my school for providing the necessary laboratory facilities to carry out
the experiments and for offering me an opportunity to present my findings in this project.
Finally, I would like to thank my parents and friends for their motivation, encouragement,
and assistance throughout the project work.
-Nandini Pillai
Introduction to project
Magnetism is a fundamental property of matter that arises due to the motion of electric
charges, mainly the electrons inside atoms. It is one of the most fascinating phenomena in
physics, with applications ranging from everyday devices like compasses to advanced
technology such as MRI machines and maglev trains.
Magnetic materials are substances that respond in some way to an applied magnetic field.
Depending on the nature and strength of their interaction with the magnetic field, materials
can be classified into three broad categories:
1. Diamagnetic
2. Paramagnetic
3. Ferromagnetic
These categories are distinguished by their electron configurations and magnetic moments,
which influence whether they are weakly repelled, weakly attracted, or strongly attracted to
magnetic fields.
Studying the magnetic properties of materials is important because it helps us:
Design efficient electromagnets, transformers, and motors.
Understand advanced materials used in electronics and communication.
Improve scientific instruments and medical imaging technology.
Historically, magnetism was first studied in naturally occurring minerals like magnetite. With
advancements in atomic theory, scientists discovered that magnetism is related to electron
spin and orbital motion around the nucleus.
In this project, we will explore the characteristics, examples, and applications of diamagnetic,
paramagnetic, and ferromagnetic substances and conduct a simple laboratory experiment to
differentiate between them.
Diamagnetic Substances
Definition:
Diamagnetic materials are those which are weakly repelled by a magnetic field. This property
is due to the absence of unpaired electrons in their atoms; all electrons are paired, and their
magnetic moments cancel out.
Examples: Bismuth, Copper, Silver, Gold, Lead, Zinc.
Atomic Explanation:
In diamagnetic materials, the orbital motion of paired electrons produces small magnetic
moments in opposite directions, resulting in a net magnetic moment of zero. When an
external magnetic field is applied, it induces a weak magnetic moment in the opposite
direction, causing repulsion.
Properties:
1. Weak repulsion from magnetic field.
2. Magnetic susceptibility (χ) is negative and small.
3. Independent of temperature.
4. No permanent magnetism is possible.
Applications:
Magnetic levitation (diamagnetic levitation of graphite or bismuth).
Used in superconductors for zero magnetic field inside (Meissner effect).
Stabilizing magnetic bearings.
Paramagnetic Substance
Definition:
Paramagnetic materials are weakly attracted to a magnetic field due to the presence of
unpaired electrons.
Examples: Aluminum, Platinum, Manganese, Chromium.
Atomic Explanation:
Unpaired electrons produce a small net magnetic moment. When placed in a magnetic field,
these moments tend to align with the field, causing weak attraction.
Properties:
1. Weak attraction to magnetic field.
2. Magnetic susceptibility is small and positive.
3. Magnetic property decreases with increase in temperature (Curie’s law).
4. No permanent magnetism after removal of external field.
Applications:
Used in oxygen analyzers (liquid oxygen is paramagnetic).
Catalysts in chemical reactions.
Certain MRI contrast agents.
Ferromagnetic Substance
Definition:
Ferromagnetic materials are strongly attracted by a magnetic field and can retain magnetism
even after the external field is removed.
Examples: Iron, Cobalt, Nickel, some alloys like Alnico.
Atomic Explanation:
In ferromagnetic materials, a phenomenon called “exchange interaction” aligns the magnetic
moments of neighboring atoms in the same direction, forming regions called domains.
Properties:
1. Very large and positive magnetic susceptibility.
2. Strong and permanent magnetism possible.
3. Magnetic strength decreases above Curie temperature.
Applications:
Permanent magnets.
Cores of transformers and electromagnets.
Data storage devices.
Applications of materials
Diamagnetic:
Levitation experiments.
Magnetic shielding.
Superconductors in maglev trains.
Paramagnetic:
Oxygen detection in medical devices.
Catalysts in ammonia production.
Used in some laser materials.
Ferromagnetic:
Motors, generators.
Memory storage (hard disks).
Loudspeakers and microphones.
MRI machines
Maglev trains
Electric motor
Experiments
Aim:
To study and differentiate between diamagnetic, paramagnetic, and ferromagnetic substances.
Materials Required:
Bar magnet
Stand and thread
Copper strip (diamagnetic)
Aluminum strip (paramagnetic)
Iron nail (ferromagnetic)
Compass
Theory:
The response of a material to a magnetic field depends on its electron configuration.
Diamagnetic materials are repelled, paramagnetic are weakly attracted, ferromagnetic are
strongly attracted.
Procedure:
1. Suspend the sample with thread.
2. Bring a bar magnet near the sample.
3. Observe movement towards or away from the magnet.
4. Repeat for all materials.
Observation Table:
Material Observation Type
Copper Weak repulsion Diamagnetic
Aluminum Weak attraction Paramagnetic
Iron Strong attraction Ferromagnetic
Result:
Copper is diamagnetic.
Aluminum is paramagnetic.
Iron is ferromagnetic.
Conclusion:
Magnetic properties vary according to electron arrangement and domain behaviour.
Bibliography
1. NCERT Physics, Class XII, Part 2.
2. Resnick, Halliday & Walker – Fundamentals of Physics.
3. https://physicsclassroom.com
4. https://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu
