magnetostriction

American  

[mag-nee-toh-strik-shuhn] / mægˌni toʊˈstrɪk ʃən /

noun

Physics.

1. a change in dimensions exhibited by ferromagnetic materials when subjected to a magnetic field.

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magnetostriction British  

/ mæɡˌniːtəʊˈstrɪkʃən /

noun

1. a change in dimensions of a ferromagnetic material that is subjected to a magnetic field

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magnetostriction Scientific  

/ măg-nē′tō-strĭk′shən /

1. The change in shape and density of a substance, especially a ferromagnetic substance, when exposed to a magnetic field. The change depends on the direction and strength of the magnetic field. Rapid, alternating magnetostriction causes the iron cores of household transformers, which are subject to a changing magnetic field, to hum or buzz.

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Other Word Forms

• magnetostrictive adjective

Etymology

Origin of magnetostriction

First recorded in 1895–1900; magneto- + (con)striction