In a diamagnetic material, which statement is accurate?

In a diamagnetic material, which statement is accurate?

• A. It has unpaired electrons and is attracted to magnets
• B. It has no unpaired electrons and is repelled by magnets
• C. It is strongly attracted to magnets
• D. It becomes superconductive in magnetic fields

Answer: (B)

Diamagnetism arises when all electrons are paired, giving no net magnetic moment in the material. When an external magnetic field is applied, the electrons’ orbital motions adjust to create a tiny induced field that opposes the applied field, producing a weak repulsion from the magnet. That makes the statement about having no unpaired electrons and being repelled by magnets the correct description. The other ideas describe different magnetic behaviors: unpaired electrons lead to attraction in a magnetic field (paramagnetism or ferromagnetism), a strong attraction isn’t typical of diamagnetism, and superconductivity is a separate phenomenon involving zero resistance and complete magnetic field expulsion, not the general diamagnetic response.

Diamagnetism arises when all electrons are paired, giving no net magnetic moment in the material. When an external magnetic field is applied, the electrons’ orbital motions adjust to create a tiny induced field that opposes the applied field, producing a weak repulsion from the magnet. That makes the statement about having no unpaired electrons and being repelled by magnets the correct description. The other ideas describe different magnetic behaviors: unpaired electrons lead to attraction in a magnetic field (paramagnetism or ferromagnetism), a strong attraction isn’t typical of diamagnetism, and superconductivity is a separate phenomenon involving zero resistance and complete magnetic field expulsion, not the general diamagnetic response.