Question
Physics Question on Magnetic properties of materials
Needles N1,N2 and N3 are made of a ferromagnetic, a paramagnetic and a diamagnetic substance respectively. A magnet when brought close to them will:
attract N1 and N2 strongly but repel N3
attract N1 strongly, N2 weakly and repel N3 weakly
attract N1 strongly, but repel N2 and N3 weakly
attract all three of them
attract N1 strongly, N2 weakly and repel N3 weakly
Solution
Ferromagnetic subsiances have strong tendency to get magnetised (induced magnetic moment) in the same direction as that of applied magnetic field, so magnet attracts N1 strongly. Paramagnetic substances get weakly magnetised (magnetic moment induced is small) in the same direction as that of applied magnetic field, so magnet attracts N2 weakly. Diamagnetic substances also get weakly magnetised when placed in an external magnetic field but in opposite direction and hence, N3 is weakly repelled by magnet.