ferromagnetic

[fer-oh-mag-net-ik]

adjective Physics.

noting or pertaining to a substance, as iron, that below a certain temperature, the Curie point, can possess magnetization in the absence of an external magnetic field; noting or pertaining to a substance in which the magnetic moments of the atoms are aligned.

Compare antiferromagnetic, diamagnetic, ferrimagnetic, paramagnetic.

Origin of ferromagnetic

First recorded in 1840–50; ferro- + magnetic

Related formsfer·ro·mag·ne·tism

[fer-oh-mag-ni-tiz-uh m] /ˌfɛr oʊˈmæg nɪˌtɪz əm/, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for ferromagnetic

Historical Examples of ferromagnetic

It is well known that the form of a piece of ferromagnetic metal is in general slightly changed by magnetization.
Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 17, Slice 3
Various

Word Origin and History for ferromagnetic

adj.

1840, from ferro- "iron" + magnetic.

ferromagnetic in Science

ferromagnetism

[fĕr′ō-măg′nĭ-tĭz′əm]

The property of being strongly attracted to either pole of a magnet. Ferromagnetic materials, such as iron, contain unpaired electrons, each with a small magnetic field of its own, that align readily with each other in response to an external magnetic field. This alignment tends to persists even after the magnetic field is removed, a phenomenon called hysteresis. Ferromagnetism is important in the design of electromagnets, transformers, and many other electrical and mechanical devices, and in analyzing the history of the earth's magnetic reversals. Compare diamagnetism paramagnetism.

Related formsferromagnetic adjective (fĕr′ō-măg-nĕt′ĭk)