Bismuth is an uncommon aspect that we do not encounter a lot in on a regular basis life. However this beautiful, iridescent metallic, discovered close to the underside of the periodic desk, displays some extraordinary properties. Magnetic levitation — bismuth’s skill to seemingly float between two magnets — is probably probably the most fascinating. The repulsion between bismuth and the magnets is so sturdy, it causes the metallic to levitate.However why is bismuth so strongly repelled from magnets?In accordance with Eric Riesel, a magnetic supplies chemist at MIT, the reply comes right down to the kind of magnetism exhibited by bismuth. Each materials has magnetic properties, decided by a quantum property of the aspect’s electrons often known as spin. However, this spin can solely level in two instructions — up or down — and the mix of all of the spins in a fabric outline precisely what sort of magnetism the aspect will exhibit.”Most individuals are accustomed to ferromagnets (everlasting magnets) like iron, the place the spins are all aligned with one another, however there are additionally anti-ferromagnets the place the spins are pointed in reverse instructions to one another,” Riesel instructed Stay Science.Nevertheless, there’s additionally one other pair of magnetic classes: paramagnetism and diamagnetism. “In paramagnets, if you apply a magnetic subject, spins in that materials will align with the sphere in proportion to its power,” he mentioned. “Diamagnets apply a drive in the other way to the sphere, repelling it.”Associated: Is it attainable to achieve absolute zero?The unfilled outer shell of bismuth means it must be weakly drawn to magnets however, relativistic heavy atom results imply we will not predict bismuth’s magnetic properties from simply its electron configuration. (Picture credit score: White Area Illustrations by way of Shutterstock)Bismuth is an instance of a diamagnetic materials, but this isn’t the conduct we might count on from the aspect’s electron configuration. The kind of magnetism exhibited by a fabric depends upon the association of electrons and their corresponding spins. Electrons circle the nucleus in outlined layers known as shells, that are additional subdivided into ranges known as the s, d, p and f orbitals.Get the world’s most fascinating discoveries delivered straight to your inbox.Usually, diamagnetic supplies have a closed shell construction. This implies a selected group of orbitals are utterly full and the electrons have been compelled to pair, with one pointing up and the opposite down — primarily canceling out the spins. Conversely, paramagnetic supplies often have partially stuffed orbitals, which means the electrons are unpaired and may align their spins in the identical path.Bismuth is in Group 15 of the periodic desk. The s, d and f orbitals are all full, however the p orbitals comprise three out of a attainable six electrons. So bismuth has partially stuffed orbitals and will behave as a paramagnet. Nevertheless, its place in row six of the periodic desk means bismuth additionally possesses some uncommon heavy-atom properties.”Chemical parts discovered after the f-block within the periodic desk have their outermost electrons orbiting the nucleus at speeds which can be important fractions of the pace of sunshine,” mentioned Ira Martyniak, additionally a magnetic supplies chemist at MIT. “The direct relativistic impact makes the 6s and 6p orbitals contract and reside nearer to the nucleus, which provides rise to anomalous bodily and chemical traits.”These relativistic results are chargeable for a lot of bismuth’s shocking properties, resembling its unconventional superconductivity, its very low melting level (520.7 levels Fahrenheit, or 271.5 levels Celsius) and the bizarre form of its crystals. The sudden diamagnetism is not any exception.”Despite the fact that bismuth has the unpaired electrons in its 6p orbital, due to relativistic contraction of the 6s and 6p ranges, the paramagnetism stemming from the 6p electrons is suppressed and the conduct of bismuth is essentially dominated by the closed shells and enormous measurement of the atom, resulting in sturdy diamagnetism,” Martyniak instructed Stay Science.Diamagnetic supplies have a number of invaluable purposes, together with electromagnetic induction in copper coils (used to generate electrical energy) and the aluminum tracks of high-speed maglev trains. Bismuth itself is just too heavy to be a sensible materials for normal use, however its potent diamagnetism means it’s now a typical part in superconductors and quantum computing.