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J7-11. Paramagnetism And Diamagnetism

Purpose

To demonstrate paramagnetic and diamagnetic materials.

Equipment

Suspended samples of bismuth and copper sulfate on stand with horseshoe magnet.

Setup Time

5 minutes.

Images

J7-11

Description

A sample of copper sulfate, a paramagnetic material, is slightly attracted to a magnet. A sample of bismuth, a diamagnetic material, is slightly repelled by a magnet. Samples of copper sulfate and bismuth are balanced on a light dowel rod hanging by a strip of plastic audio recording tape. The 2-kilogauss horseshoe magnet is used to push and/or pull the samples around, illustrating the small paramagnetic and diamagnetic forces.