A paramagnetic material generally shows only weak magnetisation even though its atoms possess permanent magnetic dipole moments. The principal reason is:
Options

Question

A paramagnetic material generally shows only weak magnetisation even though its atoms possess permanent magnetic dipole moments. The principal reason is:

G1 Physics · Accepted Answer

In a paramagnetic material two effects compete: 1. The external magnetic field tends to align permanent atomic magnetic moments. 2. Thermal agitation tends to randomise them. At ordinary temperatures, thermal randomisation is strong, so only a small excess of moments aligns with the field. Therefore paramagnetism is generally weak.