paramagnetism

British  

/ ˌpærəˈmæɡnɪˌtɪzəm, ˌpærəmæɡˈnɛtɪk /

noun

1. physics the phenomenon exhibited by substances that have a relative permeability slightly greater than unity and a positive susceptibility. The effect is due to the alignment of unpaired spins of electrons in atoms of the material Compare diamagnetism ferromagnetism

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paramagnetism Scientific  

/ păr′ə-măg′nĭ-tĭz′əm /

1. The property of being weakly attracted to either pole of a magnet. Paramagnetic materials, such as aluminum and platinum, become slightly magnetized when exposed to a magnetic field, but they lose their magnetism when the field is removed. When these materials are magnetized by a nearby magnet, the orientation of their north and sole poles results in their being attracted to the closest pole of the magnet.

2. Compare diamagnetism ferromagnetism

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Other Word Forms

• paramagnetic adjective

Example Sentences

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 • Feb. 14, 2024

Such attraction to a magnetic field is called paramagnetism, and it arises in molecules that have unpaired electrons.

From Textbooks • Feb. 14, 2019

How does this diagram account for the paramagnetism of O2?

From Textbooks • Feb. 14, 2019

The properties of paramagnetism and diamagnetism are not possessed by solids only, but exist also in liquids and gases.

From Beacon Lights of History, Volume 14 The New Era; A Supplementary Volume, by Recent Writers, as Set Forth in the Preface and Table of Contents by Lord, John