An elemental superconductor is a material that, at sufficiently low temperatures, exhibits zero electrical resistance and expels magnetic fields, a phenomenon known as the Meissner effect. Superconductors, including elemental superconductors, are inherently diamagnetic. This means they create an opposing magnetic field when placed in an external magnetic field, causing them to expel the magnetic field completely.
- Ferromagnetic materials are materials that can be magnetized and maintain their magnetization even after the external magnetic field is removed. This is not the case for superconductors.
- Paramagnetic materials are weakly attracted to external magnetic fields, but this behavior is not characteristic of superconductors.
- Dielectric materials are non-conductive and do not exhibit magnetic properties like superconductors do.
Thus, an elemental superconductor is diamagnetic, meaning it repels magnetic fields and exhibits perfect diamagnetism.