Factors Influencing Magnetic Susceptibility

Magnetic susceptibility is affected by material characteristics and temperature.

Temperature Effects

Magnetic susceptibility changes with temperature. The relationship between the magnetic susceptibility and temperature depends upon the type of the magnetic substances which is considered such as diamagnetic, paramagnetic or ferromagnetic materials.

For diamagnetic material magnetic susceptibility is independent of temperature. Their negative susceptibility arises due to motion of electrons which cannot be affected by temperature.

For paramagnetic materials magnetic susceptibility varies inversely with the temperature.

For ferromagnetic material magnetic susceptibility decreases with the rise in temperature according to Curie’s Law.

Material Composition

Composition and structure of a material greatly influence its magnetic susceptibility. Materials with unpaired electrons, such as transition metals, tend to exhibit paramagnetic behaviour, while those with no unpaired electrons, such as noble gases, exhibit diamagnetic behaviour.

Based on the corresponding magnetic properties, Magnetic susceptibility varies between substances. Due to their ability to resist magnetic field, Diamagnetic materials have negative susceptibility. Paramagnetic materials have a positive susceptibility because they are weakly attracted to magnetic fields. Ferromagnetic materials have a very high positive susceptibility because of their strong attraction to magnetic fields.

Magnetic Susceptibility Units

We know that magnetic susceptibility χ, is defined as,

χ = M/H

Thus, magnetic susceptibility ‘χ’ is dimensionless quantity.

Techniques for Measuring Magnetic Susceptibility

There are several different methods for measuring magnetic susceptibility such as

• Faraday’s Scale
• Guoy’s Scale
• Inductive Method with SQUID magnetometer
• Inductive Method with magnetic balance,
• Inductive Method with vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM)

Each method has its advantages and is suitable for different types of materials. Susceptibility can be determined by measuring magnetisation of a material, but very high sensitivity is required for weakly magnetic materials, which can be challenging for small samples.

Magnetic Susceptibility (of Magnetic Materials at 20°C)

At 20°C, magnetic susceptibility of some materials is added in the table,

Magnetic Susceptibility is the degree of magnetization of a material in response to an applied magnetic field. It is a dimensional constant. Magnetic susceptibility explains whether a material is repelled away from the magnetic field or attracted toward a magnetic field.

In this article, we have covered Magnetic Susceptibility Definition, its Formula, Examples, and others in detail.