Step 1: Concept Overview:
Antiferromagnetic materials exhibit antiparallel alignment of adjacent atomic magnetic moments. Consequently, their net magnetization is zero without an external magnetic field. The goal is to determine the typical magnetic susceptibility range (\(\chi\)).
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
Applying an external magnetic field induces a slight canting of the antiparallel moments in antiferromagnetic materials, resulting in a small net magnetization aligned with the field. This gives them a small, positive magnetic susceptibility, similar in magnitude to paramagnetic materials. Let's evaluate the options:
(A) \(-10^{-3}\) to \(-10^{-5}\): This small, negative range corresponds to diamagnetic materials.
(B) \(10^{-2}\) to \(10^{-5}\): This range represents small positive values, consistent with the susceptibility of paramagnetic and antiferromagnetic materials.
(C) \(-10^{2}\) to \(-10^{5}\): This large negative range is unrealistic for susceptibility.
(D) \(10^{2}\) to \(10^{5}\): This large positive range is characteristic of ferromagnetic materials.
Step 3: Conclusion:
Therefore, option (B) provides the only plausible range for the small, positive susceptibility of antiferromagnetic materials.