diamagnetism
/ (ˌdaɪəˈmæɡnɪˌtɪzəm) /
the phenomenon exhibited by substances that have a relative permeability less than unity and a negative susceptibility. It is caused by the orbital motion of electrons in the atoms of the material and is unaffected by temperature: Compare ferromagnetism, paramagnetism
Words Nearby diamagnetism
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
How to use diamagnetism in a sentence
At the last lecture we attended he showed the diamagnetism of flame, which had been proved by a foreign philosopher.
Personal Recollections, from Early Life to Old Age, of Mary Somerville | Mary SomervilleIf the body is more sensitive than the air, there is direct magnetism, but if it is less so, there is diamagnetism.
If we present to it the vibrating body, it will be repelled, and we shall obtain the results known by the name of diamagnetism.
The properties of paramagnetism and diamagnetism are not possessed by solids only, but exist also in liquids and gases.
Beacon Lights of History, Volume XIV | John LordRapidly following it is the discovery of diamagnetism, or the repulsion of matter by a magnet.
Fragments of science, V. 1-2 | John Tyndall
Scientific definitions for diamagnetism
[ dī′ə-măg′nĭ-tĭz′əm ]
The property of being repelled by both poles of a magnet. Most substances commonly considered to be nonmagnetic, such as water, are actually diamagnetic. Though diamagnetism is a very weak effect compared with ferromagnetism and paramagnetism, it can be used to levitate objects. Compare ferromagnetism paramagnetism. See also Lenz's law.
Other words from diamagnetism
- diamagnetic adjective (dī′ə-măg-nĕt′ĭk)
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
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