What is paramagnetism ?

Paramagnetism is a type of magnetism that occurs in materials that have unpaired electrons. These materials are weakly attracted to an external magnetic field and become magnetized in the direction of the applied field. Paramagnetism is a result of the alignment of the magnetic moments of the unpaired electrons in the presence of the magnetic field. Unlike ferromagnetic materials, paramagnetic materials do not retain their magnetization once the external field is removed. Examples of paramagnetic materials include oxygen, aluminum, and platinum.