dimagnetism

Dimagnetism is a property exhibited by certain materials that causes them to create an induced magnetic field in opposition to an externally applied magnetic field. This phenomenon is a result of the orbital motion of electrons within the material. When an external magnetic field is applied, the electrons in the material experience a force that causes them to move in a way that opposes the external field. This opposition to the external magnetic field is what defines diamagnetism.

Diamagnetic materials are characterized by their weak repulsion to magnetic fields. Unlike paramagnetic or ferromagnetic materials, which are attracted to magnetic fields, diamagnetic materials are repelled. This repulsion is typically very weak and is often only noticeable in strong magnetic fields. Examples of diamagnetic materials include copper, gold, water, and most organic compounds.

The diamagnetic effect is quantified by the diamagnetic susceptibility, which is a measure of how strongly a material is repelled by a magnetic field. The susceptibility is typically very small for diamagnetic materials, often on the order of 10^-5 to 10^-6. This small value reflects the weak nature of the diamagnetic effect.

Diamagnetism is a fundamental property of all materials and is a consequence of the quantum mechanical behavior of electrons. It is distinct from other types of magnetism, such as paramagnetism and ferromagnetism, which arise from the alignment of electron spins. Diamagnetism is a universal property, meaning that all materials, regardless of their other magnetic properties, exhibit some degree of diamagnetic behavior. This makes diamagnetism an important consideration in the study of magnetic materials and their interactions with magnetic fields.