Magnetic Susceptability

Magnetic Susceptability

Abstract:

The change in weight induced by a magnetic field for three solutions of

complexes was recorded. The change in weight of a calibrating solution of 29.97%

(W/W) of NiCl2 was recorded to calculate the apparatus constant as 5.7538. cv

and cm for each solution was determined in order to calculate the number of

unpaired electrons for each paramagnetic complex. Fe(NH4)2(SO4)2€6(H20) had 4

unpaired electrons, KMnO4 had zero unpaired electrons, and K3[Fe(CN)6] had 1

unpaired electron. The apparent 1 unpaired electron in K3[Fe(CN)6] when there

should be five according to atomic orbital calculations arises from a strong

ligand field produced by CN-.

Introduction:

The magnetic susceptibility is a phenomena that arises when a magnetic

moment is induced in an object. This magnetic moment is induced by the presence

of an external magnetic field. This induced magnetic moment translates to a

change in the weight of the object when placed in the presence of an external

magnetic field. This induced moment may have two orientations: parallel to the

external magnetic field of or perpendicular to the external magnetic field. The

former is known as paramagnetism and the later is known as diamagnetism. The

physical effect of paramagnetism is an attraction to the source of magnetism

(increase in weight when measured by a Guoy balance) and the physical effect of

diamagnetism is a repulsion from the source of magnetic field (decrease in

weight when measured by a Guoy balance).

The observed magnetic moment is derived by the change in weight. This

observed magnetic moment arises from a combination of the orbital and spin

moments of the electrons in the sample with the spin component being the most

important source of the magnetic moment. This magnetic moment is caused by the

spinning of an electron around an axis acting like a tiny magnet. This spinning

of the ³magnet² results in the magnetic moment.

Paramagnetism results from the permanent magnetic moment of the atom.

These permanent magnetic moments arise from the presence of unpaired electrons.

These unpaired electrons result in unequal number of electrons in the two

possible spin states (+1/2. -1/2). When in the absence of an external magnetic

field, these spins tend to orient themselves randomly accordingly to statistics.

When they are placed in the presence of an external magnetic field, the moments

tend to align in directions anti parallel and parallel to the magnetic field.

According to statistics, more electrons will occupy the lower energy state then

the higher energy state. In the presence of a magnetic field, the lower energy

state is the state when the magnetic moments are aligned parallel to the