How many of the following materials are paramagnetic?
Aluminium, bismuth, sodium, copper, calcium, lead, oxygen (at STP), water
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 2
The correct answer is Option (2) → Four
A paramagnetic material is weakly magnetised along an applied magnetic field. A diamagnetic material is weakly magnetised opposite to it.
The materials in the list that are paramagnetic:
Aluminium — paramagnetic
Sodium — paramagnetic
Calcium — paramagnetic
Oxygen (at STP) — paramagnetic
The materials that are not:
Bismuth — diamagnetic
Copper — diamagnetic
Lead — diamagnetic
Water — diamagnetic
Number of paramagnetic materials = 4
NCERT (2026-27):
Paramagnetism – “Some paramagnetic materials are aluminium, sodium, calcium, oxygen (at STP) and copper chloride. …”
Diamagnetism – “Some diamagnetic materials are bismuth, copper, lead, silicon, nitrogen (at STP), water and sodium chloride. …”