Question

Which of the following is diamagnetism?

• A. Quartz
• B. Nickel
• C. Bismuth
• D. Aluminum

Answer 1

The correct option is C

Bismuth

Explanation for correct option:

C. Bismuth

Diamagnetism:

• “Diamagnetic substances are weakly repelled by a magnetic field.”
• “They are weakly magnetized in a magnetic field in opposite direction.”
• It is a non-permanent type of magnetism and occurs only in the presence of an external field.
• For an element to be diamagnetic, it must have zero unpaired electrons.
• Bismuth is the most diamagnetic element as it gets repelled by the magnetic field.
• The electronic configuration of Bismuth is $\left[\mathrm{Xe}\right]4{\mathrm{f}}^{14}5{\mathrm{d}}^{10}6{\mathrm{s}}^{2}6{\mathrm{p}}^3$.
• It has low electric conductivity as well as high electrical resistance when placed in a magnetic field.

Thus, Bismuth shows diamagnetism.

Explanation for incorrect options:

A. Quartz is sometimes considered a diamagnetic substance.

B. Nickel is paramagnetic in nature due to two unpaired electrons. The electronic configuration of Nickel is $\left[\mathrm{Ar}\right]3{\mathrm{d}}^{8}4{\mathrm{s}}^2$

D. Aluminium is a paramagnetic substance. The electronic configuration of Aluminium is $\left[\mathrm{Ne}\right]3{\mathrm{s}}^{2}3{\mathrm{p}}^1$.

Hence, the correct option is C i.e. Bismuth shows diamagnetism.