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Difference Between Ferromagnetism and Antiferromagnetism

April 6, 2018 Posted by Madhu

Key Difference – Ferromagnetism vs Antiferromagnetism
 

Ferromagnetism and antiferromagnetism are two of the five classifications of magnetic properties. The other three are diamagnetism, paramagnetism, and ferrimagnetism. The key difference between ferromagnetism and antiferromagnetism is that ferromagnetism can be found in materials having their magnetic domains aligned into the same direction whereas antiferromagnetism can be found in materials having their magnetic domains aligned in opposite directions.

A magnetic domain or an atomic moment is a  region in which the magnetic fields of atoms are grouped together and aligned. Ferromagnetic materials are attracted to an external magnetic field and have a net magnetic moment. But antiferromagnetic materials have a zero net magnetic moment.

CONTENTS

1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Ferromagnetism 
3. What is Antiferromagnetism
4. Side by Side Comparison – Ferromagnetism vs Antiferromagnetism in Tabular Form
5. Summary

What is Ferromagnetism?

Ferromagnetism is the presence of magnetic domains which are aligned into the same direction in magnetic materials. The most common examples of ferromagnetic materials are metals such as iron, nickel, cobalt and their metal alloys. The magnetic domains of these metals have strong interactions due to the electronic exchange between atoms. These strong interactions cause the alignment of magnetic domains in the same direction. Ferromagnetic materials exhibit parallel alignment of magnetic domains which results in the magnetization of the materials even in the absence of an external magnetic field.

Difference Between Ferromagnetism and Antiferromagnetism

Figure 1: Order of Magnetic Domains in Ferromagnetic Materials

There are two main characteristic features of ferromagnetic materials:

Spontaneous Magnetization

The spontaneous magnetization is the magnetization of a material even in the absence of an external magnetic field. The magnitude of this magnetization is affected by the spin magnetic moment of electrons present in the ferromagnetic material.

High Curie Temperature

Curie temperature is the temperature at which the spontaneous magnetization starts to vanish. For ferromagnetic materials, this occurs at a high temperature.

What is Antiferromagnetism

Antiferromagnetism is the presence of magnetic domains that are aligned in opposite directions in magnetic materials. These opposite magnetic domains have equal magnetic moments which are canceled out (since they are in opposite directions). This makes the net moment of the material zero. This type of materials is known as antiferromagnetic materials.

Key Difference - Ferromagnetism vs Antiferromagnetism

Figure 2: Order of Magnetic Domains in Antiferromagnetic Materials

Common examples of antiferromagnetic materials can be found from transition metal oxides such as manganese oxide (MnO).

The Neel temperature (or the magnetic ordering temperature) is the temperature at which an antiferromagnetic material begins to be converted into a paramagnetic material. At this temperature, the thermal energy provided is large enough to break down the alignment of magnetic domains present in the material.

What is the Difference Between Ferromagnetism and Antiferromagnetism?

Ferromagnetism vs Antiferromagnetism

Ferromagnetism is the presence of magnetic domains that are aligned in the same direction in magnetic materials. Antiferromagnetism is the presence of magnetic domains that are aligned in opposite directions in magnetic materials.
 Alignment of Magnetic Domains
The magnetic domains of ferromagnetic materials are aligned in the same direction. The magnetic domains of antiferromagnetic materials are aligned in opposite directions.
Net Magnetic Moment
Ferromagnetic materials have a value for net magnetic moment. Antiferromagnetic materials have a zero net magnetic moment.
Examples
Examples of ferromagnetic materials include metals such as iron, nickel, cobalt and their metal alloys. Examples of antiferromagnetic materials include transition metal oxides.

Summary – Ferromagnetism vs Antiferromagnetism

Materials can be divided into several groups based on their magnetic properties. Ferromagnetic and antiferromagnetic materials are such two types. The key difference between ferromagnetism and antiferromagnetism is that ferromagnetism can be found in materials having their magnetic domains aligned into the same direction whereas antiferromagnetism can be found in materials in which the magnetic domains are aligned in opposite directions.

Reference:

1. Classes of Magnetic Materials. Hitchhiker’s Guide to Magnetism, Available here.
2. “Néel Temperature.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 17 Feb. 2018, Available here.

Image Courtesy:

1. “Ferrimagnetic ordering” By Michael Schmid – Drawing created myself (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Antiferromagnetic ordering” By Michael Schmid – Drawing created myself (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia

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Filed Under: Inorganic Chemistry Tagged With: Antiferromagnetic Materials, Antiferromagnetic Properties, Antiferromagnetism, Antiferromagnetism Definition, Antiferromagnetism Examples, Curie temperature, Ferromagnetic materials, Ferromagnetic Properties, Ferromagnetism, Ferromagnetism and Antiferromagnetism Differences, Ferromagnetism Definition, Ferromagnetism Examples, Neel temperature

About the Author: Madhu

Madhu is a graduate in Biological Sciences with BSc (Honours) Degree and currently persuing a Masters Degree in Industrial and Environmental Chemistry. With a mind rooted firmly to basic principals of chemistry and passion for ever evolving field of industrial chemistry, she is keenly interested to be a true companion for those who seek knowledge in the subject of chemistry.

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