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Demonstrations on Paramagnetism with an Electronic Balance

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Adolf Cortel

Institut de Batxillerat El Cairat, Gorgoncana 1, 08292 Esparreguera, Barcelona, SPAIN

J. Chem. Educ., 1998, 75 (1), p 61

DOI: 10.1021/ed075p61

Publication Date (Web): January 1, 1998

Section:

History, Education, and Documentation

Abstract

The paramagnetism of inorganic compounds is related to the number of unpaired electrons of the atoms. Thus, can be used to stablish oxidation states and bonding properties. A simple set-up made with a powerful neodymium magnet over the plate of an electronic balance allows measuring the force of attraction over a solid substance or a solution in a test tube. The lack of paramagnetism of salts whose elements have complete electronic subshells and the comparison of the force of attraction over compounds of the same metal in different oxidation state (as potassium ferro and ferricianide, or salts of Cu(I) and Cu(II)), allows to confirm that paramagnetism is associated to the number of unpaired electrons. The splitting of the five d orbitals according to the ligand field theory allows to justify the different behavior of some Fe(II) or Fe(III) compounds. The graph of the force of attraction over each mole versus the number of unpaired electrons fits to the second grade polynomial k(N²+2N) predicted by the theory of magnetochemistry. This set-up also allows demonstrating the diamagnetism of solid bismuth.

Keywords (Audience):

First-Year Undergraduate / General

Keywords (Domain):

Demonstrations

Keywords (Feature):

Filtrates and Residues

Keywords (Subject):

Magnetic Properties

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Citing Articles

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This article has been cited by 4 ACS Journal articles (4 most recent appear below).

Paramagnetism Paradoxes: Projectable Demonstrations
Ed Vitz , Frederick C. Sauls , Charles Malerich
Journal of Chemical Education2008 85 (4), 529
- Paramagnetism Paradoxes: Projectable Demonstrations
  Ed Vitz , Frederick C. Sauls , Charles Malerich
  Journal of Chemical Education2008 85 (4), 529
  Drops of oil in Mn(SO4)(aq) and drops of the solution in oil show opposite effects when brought near a rare earth magnet. Oxygen, nitrogen, and air bubbles atop water show expected attraction, repulsion, and null behavior, respectively. Air bubbles atop ...
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Demonstrating and Measuring Relative Molar Magnetic Susceptibility Using a Neodymium Magnet
Charles Malreich , Patricia K. Ruff , Aubrey Bird
Journal of Chemical Education2004 81 (8), 1155
- Demonstrating and Measuring Relative Molar Magnetic Susceptibility Using a Neodymium Magnet
  Charles Malreich , Patricia K. Ruff , Aubrey Bird
  Journal of Chemical Education2004 81 (8), 1155
  A method for demonstrating and measuring the magnetic attraction between a paramagnetic substance and a neodymium magnet is described and evaluated. The experiment measures the maximum angle that the magnet can deflect a paramagnetic compound from the ...
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Of Magnets and Mechanism
Edward G. Neeland
Journal of Chemical Education2002 79 (2), 186
- Of Magnets and Mechanism
  Edward G. Neeland
  Journal of Chemical Education2002 79 (2), 186
  Bar magnets overlaid on a drawn molecule and projected using an overhead effectively illustrates the approach of a nucleophile on an electrophilic center and subsequent loss of a leaving group. This practical demonstration facilitates the understanding of ...
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Determination of the Magnetic Moments of Transition Metal Complexes Using Rare Earth Magnets
Kevin C. de Berg and Kenneth J. Chapman
Journal of Chemical Education2001 78 (5), 670
- Determination of the Magnetic Moments of Transition Metal Complexes Using Rare Earth Magnets
  Kevin C. de Berg and Kenneth J. Chapman
  Journal of Chemical Education2001 78 (5), 670
  This paper describes how powerful neodymium magnets and an electronic balance can be used to determine magnetic moments and susceptibilities of transition metal complexes. The technique is an improvement on one previously reported (J. Chem. Educ. 1998, 75,...
  Abstract | Hi-Res PDF | PDF w/ Links