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diamagnetism

British  
/ ˌdaɪəˈmæɡnɪˌtɪzəm /

noun

  1. 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

"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

diamagnetism Scientific  
/ dī′ə-măgnĭ-tĭz′əm /
  1. 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.

  2. Compare ferromagnetism paramagnetism See also Lenz's law


Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Although other types of magnetism, such as diamagnetism and paramagnetism have been categorised, these describe specific responses to externally applied magnetic fields rather than spontaneous magnetic orderings in materials.

From Science Daily

The physicists tested their treated graphite powder for diamagnetism by measuring its magnetization as it was exposed to a changing magnetic field.

From Scientific American

R.S., was, when completed by various later papers, a systematic discussion of the whole subject, including electromagnetism and diamagnetism.

From Project Gutenberg

To this action Faraday gave the name of diamagnetism.

From Project Gutenberg

Marie Curie Kicks Off the 2011 World Science Festival Even in the world of science, it is not every day when romance is summed up using words such as diamagnetism and paramagnetism as analogies.

From Scientific American