paramagnetic material

Meaning: Each unpaired electron has a magnetic moment, so an atom with unpaired electrons acts like a tiny magnet. With no external field, thermal motion points these moments in random directions, and the net magnetization is zero. In an external field the moments tilt toward the field direction. This gives a small net magnetization along the field, so the material is pulled toward the region where the field is stronger. Raising the temperature weakens the effect because thermal motion competes with alignment. Examples include O₂, aluminum, and ions with partly filled d subshells.

On the MCAT: You may be given an electron configuration or an ion and asked whether it is paramagnetic or diamagnetic. Count the unpaired electrons using Hund's rule. Fe³⁺ (d⁵) has unpaired electrons and is paramagnetic. Zn²⁺ (d¹⁰) has none and is diamagnetic. Passages may also describe a sample near a magnet and ask whether it is attracted, repelled, or stays magnetized after the field is removed.

Common confusion: Paramagnetic is not the same as ferromagnetic. Both are attracted to a magnet, but a paramagnetic material has no lasting magnetization once the field is gone. A ferromagnetic material has aligned domains, responds much more strongly, and can stay magnetized. The settling fact is that paramagnetism comes from unpaired electrons and is weak.