Paramagnetism - definition

Paramagnetism is one of the basic types of magnetic properties of matter, consisting in the weak attraction of a material by an external magnetic field. This phenomenon results from the presence of unpaired electrons in atoms or ions, which have their own magnetic moment. In the absence of an external field, these moments are distributed chaotically and cancel each other out, whereas under the influence of a magnetic field they partially align, causing an increase magnetisation of the material.

Paramagnetics exhibit a positive magnetic susceptibility, but it is very small - on the order of 10-⁶ to 10-³ - and temperature dependent. The mathematical description of the behaviour of paramagnetics includes Curie's law, which states the inverse proportionality of magnetic susceptibility with respect to temperature. As the temperature increases, the thermal energy increases, which counteracts the ordering of the magnetic moments, weakening the paramagnetic effect.

It is characteristic of paramagnetism that the disappearance of the external field causes the material to immediately return to a disordered state, without leaving any permanent magnetisation. This distinguishes paramagnets from ferromagnets, which can maintain magnetisation even after the field is removed. Paramagnetism is found in a wide range of substances, including some metals, transition metal ions, noble gases in the liquid state, as well as many chemical compounds and synthetic materials.

In technical applications, paramagnetism is used less frequently than other types magnetism, but it is important in electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy, in the study of material properties, and in the design of some sensors and specialised materials. The analysis of this phenomenon is an important part of solid state physics and quantum chemistry, allowing for a better understanding of the electronic structure of substances.

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