Physical Properties of Solids

This chapter focuses on the fundamentals of electrical and magnetic behavior of solids using a combined macro- and micro-scales. Based on electrical behavior, solids can be classified as metallic, ionic, semiconducting, and superconducting materials. In conformity with magnetic behavior, solids are characterized as ferromagnetic, ferrimagnetic, paramagnetic, and diamagnetic materials. When an active material in an electrical circuit being exposed to an electric field strength E having magnitude and direction may exhibit a conductive or nonconductive behavior. Considering the extreme cases, the former is manifested by an electron (e-) flow from the negative-to-positive terminals and, conventionally, by a current flow in the opposite direction. The effect of mechanical deformation on electrical conduction is an interesting topic to study, since dislocations and as well as impurities act as barriers to continuous and smooth conduction. As a result, the material atomic structure and related balanced interatomic forces dictate the electrical and magnetic properties of conductive materials.