Is Carbon Magnetic? 9 Facts You Should Know!

Carbon is used in smelting and improving the hardness of metals as it forms the strongest bond. In this article, we shall talk about the magnetic behaviour of carbon.

Carbon is not magnetic because it is diamagnetic. It has two unpaired electrons in a 2p orbital. These unpaired electrons pair up in metallic bonding, giving it diamagnetic characteristics. The last electron filled in 2p orbital cancels the angular and spin momentum producing zero magnetic moments.

The magnetic property of carbon relies on these unpaired electrons. Let us further discuss magnetic quantum, magnetic resonance, magnetic permeability and magnetic behaviour of different types of carbon ahead in this article.

Is carbon fiber magnetic?

Carbon fibers are 5-10 micrometres in diameter, increasing carbon matter’s density, stiffness and tensile strength. Let us discuss whether carbon fiber is magnetic.

Carbon fiber is not magnetic because it is weakly diamagnetic in a static magnetic field as the two free electrons in the 2p orbital pair up to cancel the magnetic moment. The magnetization of carbon fiber is in the opposite direction of the external magnetic field.

Is low carbon steel magnetic?

Low-carbon steel is mild steel with a small quantity of carbon. Let us discuss whether low-carbon steel is magnetic or not.

Low carbon steel is weakly ferromagnetic because of the presence of steel which possesses ferromagnetic characteristics. Thus, low carbon steel is regarded as magnetic material, but these properties are affected by the forging activities. Due to its low carbon content, the low carbon steel is soft.

Is high carbon steel magnetic?

High carbon steel is composed of the highest quantity of carbon as compared to low carbon steel. Let us discuss the magnetic response of high-carbon steel.

The high carbon steel is magnetic because it composes ferromagnetic steel content and is easily attracted by the magnets. Due to the high concentration of carbon, high-carbon steel is ductile and stiff. The high carbon steel varies its magnetic property depending upon the structure and bonding.

Is carbon dioxide magnetic?

Carbon dioxide is a compound formed by pairing up two molecules of oxygen. Let us see whether carbon dioxide shows magnetic characteristics or not.

Carbon dioxide is not magnetic because it is diamagnetic and repels away from the magnetic field direction. The magnetic permeability of the carbon dioxide does not allow the magnetic flux to penetrate through it, thus moving away from the magnet or the magnetic field.

Why is carbon dioxide diamagnetic?

Carbon dioxide is diamagnetic because there are no unpaired electrons available that can spin and align in the direction of a field upon forming the bonds with carbon. Carbon has a vacancy of four electrons in the valence shell, filled by two unpaired electrons of O2, leaving behind no free electrons.

Is activated carbon magnetic?

Activated carbon is charcoal used to filter contaminated air and water. Let us discuss whether activated carbon is magnetic or not.

Activated carbon is nonmagnetic because it is wholly composed of carbon and is diamagnetic. It is a good absorbent with the low-density porous matter. Still, it repels the magnetic flux due to the unavailability of unpaired electrons, thus decreasing charcoal’s magnetic permeability.

1200px Activated Carbon
Activated Carbon by Ravedave (CC BY 2.5) from Wikimedia Commons

Carbon Magnetic Properties

There are several properties of carbon that makes it diamagnetic. Let us discuss some of the magnetic properties of carbon here below.

  • All the electrons of the C-metal are paired.
  • The magnetic moment of Carbon is zero.
  • Carbon exerts a repulsive force in the magnetic field.
  • The magnetic permeability of carbon is zero.
  • C-metal moves from the strong to a weaker magnetic field.
  • Carbon does not obey Curie’s law and is independent of temperature.

Carbon Magnetic Quantum Number

The magnetic quantum number denotes the quantum state of an electron and orientation in an atom. Let us talk about the carbon magnetic quantum number in detail.

The magnetic quantum number of carbon is -1, 0, and +1. Carbon has six electrons occupying two energy levels. The highest principle quantum number of C is n = 2. The orbital angular momentum of carbon is l = n – 1, which equals to l = 0 and 1. Hence, the magnetic quantum number is ml = 0, ±l = 0, ±1.

Carbon Magnetic Resonance

Magnetic resonance is the emission or absorption of electromagnetic radiation by applying an external magnetic field. Let us discuss carbon magnetic resonance.

The magnetic resonance of carbon is seen in the presence of a magnetic field. It produces spectra due to the interaction or exchange coupling of electrons. The altering electron spin induces magnetic moment opposite to the magnetic field direction giving a small magnetic susceptibility.

Carbon Magnetic Permeability

The magnetic permeability of carbon indicates its response to the applied magnetic field. Let us discuss the magnetic permeability of carbon.

The carbon has low magnetic permeability of 1.26 x 10-4 H/m, due to the absence of free unpaired electrons. The relative permeability is below one. A matter with a low carbon concentration retains low magnetic flux and has slightly higher magnetic permeability than one with high carbon content.

Conclusion

It is concluded from this article that carbon is diamagnetic as the electrons in the 2p orbital form a pair together. Carbon has low magnetic permeability and susceptibility. It shows the response in the magnetic field due to the force of repulsion against the field.

Read more about Do Acids Conduct Electricity?

Read more about Does Titanium Conduct Electricity?

Read more about Does Cobalt Conduct Electricity?

Read more about Is Iron Magnetic?

Read more about Is Kimberlite Magnetic?

Read more about Is Ink Magnetic?

Read more about Is Jupiter Magnetic?

Read more about Is Kevlar Magnetic?

Also Read: