Diamagnetic Substances Have All Electrons ______.

Diamagnetic Substances Have All Electrons ______.

• A. Paired
• B. Unpaired
• C. Unchanged
• D. Separated

Answer: (A)

Diamagnetic substances have all electrons paired. When electrons are paired, their magnetic moments cancel, giving zero net magnetic moment in the absence of a field. Placing the material in a magnetic field induces a tiny current that creates a magnetic moment opposite to the applied field (Lenz’s law), producing a weak repulsion. If there were unpaired electrons, spins would tend to align with the field, leading to paramagnetism rather than diamagnetism. So, the defining trait is that all electrons are paired.

Diamagnetic substances have all electrons paired. When electrons are paired, their magnetic moments cancel, giving zero net magnetic moment in the absence of a field. Placing the material in a magnetic field induces a tiny current that creates a magnetic moment opposite to the applied field (Lenz’s law), producing a weak repulsion. If there were unpaired electrons, spins would tend to align with the field, leading to paramagnetism rather than diamagnetism. So, the defining trait is that all electrons are paired.