So, is silver magnetic? Silver is weakly magnetic in the presence of an applied external magnetic field. Silver being diamagnetic in nature, it weakly repels a magnet in the presence of an applied external magnetic field. It is due to the availability of only one lone electron within the atom, which makes it a weak paramagnet but a strong diamagnet. The silver has chosen to be a diamagnet, with an anomaly. The anomaly is of showing diamagnetism behavior where ideally it should be showing strong paramagnetic behavior. It is because silver has an unpaired electron within its atom, where unpaired electrons promote paramagnetism. Moreover, all paired electrons lead to diamagnetic behavior in an element.
Electronic Configuration of Silver (Ag)
According to the Aufbau principle, the 5s shell fills first, then the 4d shell.
From the above-mentioned electronic configuration of silver, it can be seen that there is an anomaly where an incomplete 5s (s need two electrons) shell and a complete 4d shell (d needs ten electrons) exist. It is this anomaly that compels silver to show diamagnetic property where it should have been paramagnetic in nature.
Why silver repels in an applied external magnetic field?
It is due to the reason of filling d shell first, brings more stability to the silver atom than filling the s shell. The d shell is of a lower energy state than the s shell. One reason for this can be the ability of the d shell to incorporate up to ten electrons where the s shell can incorporate only two electrons at maximum. In addition to this, it is a bit obvious to realize that having unpaired electrons in d shell will make the atom much unstable than having unpaired electrons in s shell. The lower energy state d shell, having all paired electrons, will make the atom stable and it will not easily respond and will repel to an applied external magnetic field.
Why is silver strongly diamagnetic but weakly paramagnetic in nature?
It is due to the presence of a filled d shell which makes the element silver stable. The paired electrons spin in the opposite direction canceling out each other’s effect, making net dipole moment zero. Besides this, silver is also a weak paramagnet because of the presence of one lone electron in the 5s shell. When this lone electron spin, it acts as a tiny magnet creating a net dipole moment. Moreover, as there is a deficiency of only one electron, it usually fulfills when one silver atom reacts with another silver atom. It is the reason why silver is a weak paramagnet but a strong diamagnet.
Magnetic Susceptibility of Silver
Silver: −0·18128±0·00054 × 10−6 c.g.s. e.m.u. per gram Magnetic susceptibility provides a way to mathematically calculate the extent of magnetization an element will undergo when a magnetic field is applied externally. It might be interesting to know, a negative value of silver determines weak susceptibility. It means silver does not respond easily and needs very high external magnetic fields to show any change in its continual behavior.
Magnetic Permeability (μR) of Silver
Unlike magnetic susceptibility, magnetic permeability provides a mathematical value for the degree to which the magnetization which is induced, impacts the magnetic flux density. To show strong paramagnetic behavior, the value of relative magnetic permeability needs to be greater than 1. Silver does not have relative magnetic permeability of 1 but has nearly closer to it. Due to this, it is a weak paramagnet. Silver: 0.99998 Gauss/Oersted To be a diamagnet, the value of relative magnetic permeability needs to be lesser than 1, which is the case of silver. Diamagnetic: μ<1 Nonmagnetic: μ=1 Paramagnetic: μ>1 Ferromagnetic: μ»1 The relative magnetic permeability of iron is given down below just for the sake of comparison: Iron: 5,000 Gauss/Oersted
The first graph shows the magnetization/gram of silver versus temperature. The temperatures above 80 kelvins, the silver is diamagnetic. Whereas below 80 kelvins, there is a paramagnetic-diamagnetic transition occurring. The second graph shows silver is paramagnetic as there is a clear s-shape curve, which is a prominent curve only for paramagnets.
How to test if silver is pure?
Pure silver will never attract a magnet at room temperature and normal conditions. Try bringing a magnet close to pure silver and see what is happening. If silver is pure, it will not move in any manner whatsoever. Try moving a magnet near silver, it will respond to the magnet. It is due to the effect of Lenz law. According to it, moving a magnet nearer to pure silver induces an electric current in the pure silver. As we know, electric current (also called eddy current) has its magnetic field silver gets it one set. This magnetic field of silver reacts with the moving magnetic field of the magnet, and this is how silver interacts with a moving magnet. Any example can be of passing a magnet within a pure silver pipe. The magnet will fall slowly and will look as if it is floating. The falling magnet generates its magnetic field, whereas this free fall induces an electric current within the pure silver pipe which eventually forms its magnetic field. When both the magnetic field interacts, the speed of the falling magnet reduces too many folds.
Will silver alloy responds to a magnet?
Yes. In an applied external magnetic field, if silver responds to a magnet at normal conditions in any way, it means, it is an alloy. The response to a magnet is due to the presence of another metal besides silver which is retaliating. In general, alloying of silver is done with metals which strongly responds to a magnet because of monetary affordability.
What is eddy current?
It is a localized current, form in an element due to consistent alteration in a nearby magnetic field. It forms through the concept of Lenz law, which states an element from its magnetic field through the induced electric current when coming in contact with an applied external magnetic field. It is because of this law, elements other than ferromagnets possess magnetic properties.
Is silver superconductor?
No, due to the presence of a lone electron, silver is not a superconductor. To be a superconductor it is essential to have all paired electrons within the atom. Though, it is a great conductor which can be seen from the below-mentioned graph.
The electrical conductivity of silver is directly proportional to the temperature. As temperature increases, electrical conductivity is also increasing to many folds.
In Conclusion
Silver is magnetic in nature but with a twist. Alike copper and gold, silver also show an anomaly of being diamagnetic where it should have been a paramagnet. It is because of the presence of a lone electron in the 5s shell. Every element possesses magnetic properties where they are quite prominent for ferromagnets, like iron, but others respond in the presence of an applied external magnetic field. you guys can also read one more interesting article regarding the tarnishing of silver. This can enhance your knowledge of the properties that silver exhibits.
