Gold is a precious metal with good corrosion resistance and lasts for a long, thus finding its various uses. In this article, we shall talk about the magnetic property of gold.
Gold is not magnetic as it is diamagnetic. The electronic configuration of gold is [Xe] 4f14 5d10 6s1, having half filled stable 6s orbital. The single unpaired electron in the 6s orbital is responsible for its diamagnetic characteristics and hence is weakly repelled by the magnet or magnetic fields.
Gold is available in different karats. It clarifies the gold purity and amount of added metals in it. Pure gold is 24 karats. We shall discuss the magnetic properties of gold, its permeability, methods to make gold magnetic, and the magnetic behaviour of different karats of gold with detailed facts.
Why is gold not magnetic?
The magnetic property of gold depends upon its magnetic permeability. Let us discuss why gold is not magnetic and behaves as diamagnetic.
Gold is not magnetic because the magnetic permeability of gold is less than one and has low conductivity. The valence electron of gold generates its magnetic field to oppose the magnetic force, exerting repellant force in the opposite direction, not allowing the flux to pass.
Is gold magnetic when heated?
The heat energy supplied to free electrons increases their agility and conduction. Let us see whether heat energy boosts the magnetic behaviour of gold or not.
Gold is magnetic when heated because the electrons from the 6s orbital get enough energy, and they become free to move and align in the direction of the external magnetic field, developing magnetic moment and intensifying the magnetic permeability of gold, allowing the magnetic flux to penetrate.
Gold Magnetic Properties
There are several magnetic properties of gold that makes it diamagnetic. Let us list some of the magnetic properties of gold here below.
- Gold is nonmagnetic in its pure form.
- The magnetization of gold makes it weakly repel from the magnet.
- Gold has zero magnetic dipoles.
- Gold moves from stronger magnetic fields to weaker ones.
- Magnetization and susceptibility of gold are negative.
- The magnetic dipole moment of gold is small.
Gold Magnetic Permeability
The magnetic permeability of gold is determined by the total number of magnetic flux lines passing through it. Let us talk about the magnetic permeability of gold in detail.
The magnetic permeability of gold is 1.256×10-6Tm/A which is very small as the electrons of gold do not allow the magnetic flux to pass through it. It is calculated as the ratio of magnetic flux density (B) in the unit cross-sectional area of gold to the external magnetic field intensity (H).
How to make gold magnetic?
There are different methods effectively used to magnetize a diamagnetic material. Let us see different modes to make gold magnetic.
- Gold can be magnetised by placing a strong magnet next to gold or keeping it in a high magnetic field.
- Gold can be magnetised by heating gold in the presence of a magnetic field helps to align dipoles in the direction of the magnetic field.
- Gold can be magnetised by making gold alloys with magnetic metals.
- Gold can be magnetised by placing gold in the solenoid, increasing the magnetic flux intensity through gold.
Is 18k gold magnetic?
The 18k gold consists of 18 parts of gold and six parts of other metal alloys. It is harder than pure gold and is durable. Let us see whether 18k gold is magnetic or not.
The 18k gold is magnetic or nonmagnetic depending upon the type of the other six alloy parts used. The other six parts can be zinc, copper, silver, rhodium, and nickel. Out of these, nickel is ferromagnetic and retains its properties without an external magnetic field.
Is 10k gold magnetic?
The 10k gold consists of 10 parts of gold and the rest of the other metal alloys. Let us see whether 10k gold is magnetic or not.
The 10k gold is magnetic or nonmagnetic because the 14 parts of an alloy can be composed of metals like silver, nickel, palladium, zinc or copper. The palladium, zinc, and silver are diamagnetic, but copper is paramagnetic, and nickel is ferromagnetic, which adds to the magnetic behaviour of 10k gold.
Is 9 carat gold magnetic?
The 9k gold consists of only 37.5% of gold, nine parts of gold and 15 parts of other metals. Let us discuss whether 9k gold is magnetic or not.
The 9-carat gold can be magnetic depending upon the metal used to alloy with the gold. If ferromagnetic metals like nickel are used, they will show magnetic characteristics. If metals like copper and zinc are used, they will show magnetic behaviour in the external magnetic field.
Is 14k white gold magnetic?
A 14k white gold is an alloy of gold with silver, platinum and nickel. Let us see whether 14k white gold is magnetic or not.
The 14k white gold can be magnetic or nonmagnetic. It is magnetic if a nickel is mixed with gold, paramagnetic if gold is a mixture of platinum and diamagnetic if alloy with silver. The magnetic behaviour of white gold depends upon the other ten parts of the metal used to alloy with 14 parts of gold.
Conclusion
We can conclude from this article that gold is not magnetic in its pure form because it is diamagnetic. Gold can be made magnetic by adding a ferromagnetic material to it. Different karat of gold rather than 24k can be made magnetic.
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Hi, I’m Akshita Mapari. I have done M.Sc. in Physics. I have worked on projects like Numerical modeling of winds and waves during cyclone, Physics of toys and mechanized thrill machines in amusement park based on Classical Mechanics. I have pursued a course on Arduino and have accomplished some mini projects on Arduino UNO. I always like to explore new zones in the field of science. I personally believe that learning is more enthusiastic when learnt with creativity. Apart from this, I like to read, travel, strumming on guitar, identifying rocks and strata, photography and playing chess.