Paramagnetic Transition Metal Ions

Several transition metal salts are affected by a strong magnet. Students are generally familiar with the fact that metallic iron is magnetic, but the science behind this observation is not necessarily understood. Paramagnetic salts generally contain transition metal ions that have at least one unpaired electron in their electron configuration. In this demonstration, a neodymium magnet is used to deflect small v-shaped chambers containing paramagnetic transition metal salts.