magnetic dipole moment

noun

1. m.  j. Also called: magnetic moment. a measure of the magnetic strength of a magnet or current-carrying coil, expressed as the torque per unit magnetic-flux density produced when the magnet or coil is set with its axis perpendicular to the magnetic field Compare electromagnetic moment

magnetic dipole moment

1. A vector quantity associated with the magnetic properties of electric current loops or, more generally, magnets. It is equal to the amount of current flowing through the loop multiplied by the area encompassed by the loop, and its direction is established by the right hand rule for rotations. It can be thought of as a vector pointing from the south to the north of a magnetic dipole, and is then equal to the length of the dipole times the strength of either of its poles.

2. Also called magnetic moment

Example Sentences

For this method to work, the only requirement is that the molecules have a magnetic dipole moment, which means that they behave like tiny bar magnets.

From Nature