What does diamagnetic mean in the context of materials?

Diamagnetic materials are characterized by their behavior in the presence of a magnetic field. Specifically, when placed in a magnetic field, diamagnetic materials exhibit a weak repulsion. This occurs because the electrons in diamagnetic materials are all paired, which results in no net magnetic moment. When an external magnetic field is applied, the paired electrons rearrange slightly to create a magnetic field that opposes the applied field, leading to a repulsion effect.

In contrast, materials that are attracted to a magnetic field are classified as paramagnetic or ferromagnetic. Paramagnetic materials, for example, have unpaired electrons that align with the magnetic field, leading to attraction. Ferromagnetic materials exhibit a more pronounced and permanent effect due to their intrinsic magnetic domains.

The other options do not accurately describe the properties of diamagnetic materials. While high electrical conductivity is a characteristic of some materials, it does not relate to their magnetic properties. Similarly, strong magnetization refers to ferromagnetic behavior, which is not applicable to diamagnetic substances.