Paramagnetism facts for kids

When liquid oxygen is poured from a beaker into a strong magnet, the oxygen temporarily stays between the magnetic poles owing to its paramagnetism

Paramagnetism is a form of magnetism whereby some materials are weakly attracted by an applied magnetic field and form induced magnetic fields in the direction of the magnetic field. Paramagnetic materials include most chemical elements and some compounds. They have a relative magnetic permeability that is a little bit higher than 1. The magnetic moment caused by the applied magnetic field is linear in the field strength and weak.

Images for kids

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  In a metal, the application of an external magnetic field increases the density of electrons with spins antiparallel with the field and lowers the density of the electrons with opposite spin. Note: The arrows in this picture indicate spin direction, not magnetic moment.

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  Idealized Curie–Weiss behavior; N.B. TC=θ, but TN is not θ. Paramagnetic regimes are denoted by solid lines. Close to TN or TC the behavior usually deviates from ideal.

See also

In Spanish: Paramagnetismo para niños