Magnetic Properties of Materials: Definition, Examples, Differences, and Its Applications
Learn the properties of diamagnetic, paramagnetic, and ferromagnetic materials for JEE Main 2025. Understand their unique characteristics, differences, and real-world applications to strengthen your concepts in magnetism. This resource simplifies complex topics, making it easier for you to grasp and excel in your JEE Main preparation. This article will help you revise the properties and basis of the classification of these three major types. Students can Visit and download the other important study resources from the Vedantu website as this content is created by our master teachers and experts.
Magnetic Susceptibility and Its Characteristics
It is a measure of how susceptible material is to getting magnetised when placed in a magnetic field. Magnetic Susceptibility is expressed as $\chi $.
The following are some important characteristics of magnetic susceptibility:
It is dimensionless.
It is a proportionality constant.
It occurs due to the interaction between the electrons and nuclei of any material and the externally applied magnetic field.
It helps in categorising materials into dia, para, and ferromagnets.
The formula for calculating magnetic susceptibility $\chi $ is $\frac{M}{H}$, where M is the magnetisation of the material and H is applied magnetic field intensity.
Diamagnetic Materials
Diamagnetic materials get freely magnetised when placed in a magnetic field but in the opposite direction. In other words, diamagnetic materials are repelled by magnetic forces and tend to move from a stronger to weaker part of the applied magnetic field. Diamagnetism is a common property exhibited by most materials irrespective of the temperature. The effect is very negligible when compared to the other types.
A Diamagnetic Specimen Placed in an External Magnetic Field
In the above figure, the diamagnetic specimen placed in a uniform magnetic field does not allow, i.e., repels the magnetic field lines to pass through it. In case a diamagnetic material is placed in a non-uniform magnetic field, it will try to move from the point of high to low magnetic field strength. Examples of diamagnetic materials include Copper, Silver, Zinc, Antimony, Gold, Water, Glass, NaCl, Marble, Glass, etc. The magnetic susceptibility of diamagnetic materials will be small and negative, i.e., $-1\le \chi \le 0$
Paramagnetic Materials
The paramagnetic materials get weakly magnetised if placed in an external magnetic field. In other words, they will try to move from points exhibiting weak magnetic strength to points exhibiting a relatively stronger magnetic field strength. The atoms of a paramagnetic material will experience a dipole moment, interact with one another, and get aligned spontaneously when placed in an external magnetic field.
According to Curie’s law, the magnetism of a paramagnetic material is inversely proportional to the absolute temperature up to a point where the material reaches a point of saturation, i.e., $M=\dfrac {C}{T} ~H$, where C is curie’s constant.
Examples of paramagnetic materials include Manganese, Platinum, Chromium, Aluminium, etc. The magnetic susceptibility of paramagnetic materials is small and positive, i.e., $\chi >0$.
Ferromagnetic Materials
Ferromagnetic materials get strongly magnetised in an external magnetic field. Hence, they get attracted to permanent magnets, unlike paramagnetic materials. In addition, ferromagnetic materials will try to move from a region of a weaker magnetic field to a region of a stronger magnetic field. Similar to paramagnetic materials, the atoms of ferromagnets will experience a dipole moment, interact with one another, and get aligned spontaneously when placed in an external magnetic field. However, the direction of alignment on a macroscopic scale is common leading to a net magnetisation which results in strong magnetisation behaviour.
A Ferromagnetic Specimen in an External Magnetic Field
Examples of ferromagnetic materials include Cobalt, Iron, Nickel, Gadolinium, and certain alloys like Alnico etc. The magnetic susceptibility of such materials is large and positive, i.e., $\chi >1000$.
Below is the illustrations for the difference between Diamagnetic, Paramagnetic and Ferromagnetic materials
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Properties of Dia, Para, and Ferromagnetic Materials
Significance of Properties of Diamagnetic, Paramagnetic, and Ferromagnetic Materials for JEE Main 2025
This topic is part of the Magnetic Properties of Matter chapter, frequently contributing 1-2 questions in JEE Main each year.
It helps in understanding how different materials interact with magnetic fields, a fundamental concept in physics.
Essential for studying practical applications like magnetic storage devices, transformers, and electromagnets.
Questions can be conceptual (e.g., characteristics of materials) or numerical (e.g., calculating magnetic susceptibility).
Questions based on these materials appear in magnetism sections almost every year of JEE, making it a must-study topic.
Tips for Preparing Magnetic Properties of Materials JEE Main 2025
Focus on diamagnetic, paramagnetic, and ferromagnetic materials' behaviour in magnetic fields.
Memorise common examples like copper (diamagnetic), aluminium (paramagnetic), and iron (ferromagnetic).
Solve problems on magnetic susceptibility, permeability, and magnetisation.
Use side-by-side comparisons to remember differences easily.
Understand practical uses like ferromagnetic materials in devices and paramagnetic substances in MRI machines.
Visualise dipole alignment under magnetic fields for better understanding.
Create concise notes of properties and examples for quick revisions.
Practice PYQs and take mock tests for confidence.
Conclusion
Based on the magnetic susceptibility, materials are classified into dia, para, and ferromagnetic materials. It is important to understand their individual behaviour and properties when placed in an externally applied magnetic field as it helps in building useful applications. Also, the importance of temperature in maintaining the properties is to be borne in mind.
JEE Main 2025 Subject-Wise Important Chapters
The JEE Main 2025 subject-wise important chapters provide a focused strategy for Chemistry, Physics, and Maths. These chapters help students prioritise their preparation, ensuring they cover high-weightage topics for better performance in the exam.
Important Related Links for JEE Main 2025
FAQs on Properties of Diamagnetic Paramagnetic and Ferromagnetic Materials for JEE 2025
1. What are superparamagnets?
Superparamagnetic materials in addition to exhibiting net paramagnetism, exhibit powerful ferromagnetic ordering. This happens at the microscopic level most of the time. Curie’s law says that at high temperatures, the magnetisation of most of the paramagnetic materials will directly depend on the strength of the applied magnetic field. They follow Curie’s law of temperature and have very high Curie constants. An example of a super paramagnet is Ferro liquid.
2. What are a few applications of ferromagnetic materials?
Ferromagnetic materials can be permanently magnetised and a few applications of such materials are in transformers, credit cards, loudspeakers, generators, and recording devices. They are also used for the storage of non-volatile information.
3. What are the properties of diamagnetic, paramagnetic, and ferromagnetic materials?
Diamagnetic materials repel magnetic fields, paramagnetic materials weakly attract them, and ferromagnetic materials strongly attract them.
4. What are paramagnetic and diamagnetic materials?
Paramagnetic materials are weakly attracted to magnetic fields, while diamagnetic materials are repelled. Vedantu explains these types with examples and key differences for 2025.
5. What are the magnetic properties of materials?
The magnetic properties of materials include diamagnetism, paramagnetism, ferromagnetism, antiferromagnetism, and ferrimagnetism.
6. What are the 5 types of magnetic materials?
The 5 types of magnetic materials are diamagnetic, paramagnetic, ferromagnetic, antiferromagnetic, and ferrimagnetic.
7. What are paramagnetic and diamagnetic examples?
Examples of paramagnetic materials include aluminium and oxygen, while diamagnetic materials include copper and bismuth.
8. What is the paramagnetic and ferromagnetic difference?
Paramagnetic materials are weakly attracted to magnetic fields, while ferromagnetic materials are strongly attracted and can retain magnetism. Vedantu clarifies these differences with examples for 2025.
9. What are the properties of paramagnetic substances?
The properties of a paramagnetic substance have unpaired electrons, weak magnetic attraction, and loss of magnetism when the field is removed. Vedantu’s study materials simplify these properties for JEE Main 2025.
10. What are the properties of diamagnetic substances?
Properties of diamagnetic substance Diamagnetic substances have paired electrons, are repelled by magnetic fields, and do not retain magnetism.
11. How to distinguish paramagnetic and diamagnetic materials?
Paramagnetic materials are weakly attracted to magnetic fields, while diamagnetic materials are repelled.
12. Why are magnetic properties of materials important in physics?
Magnetic properties of materials explain real-world phenomena like magnetism in devices and electromagnetic applications.
