paramagnetism
/ (ˌpærəˈmæɡnɪˌtɪzəm) /
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
Derived forms of paramagnetism
- paramagnetic (ˌpærəmæɡˈnɛtɪk), adjective
Words Nearby 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
How to use paramagnetism in a sentence
The properties of paramagnetism and diamagnetism are not possessed by solids only, but exist also in liquids and gases.
Beacon Lights of History, Volume XIV | John Lord
Scientific definitions for paramagnetism
[ păr′ə-măg′nĭ-tĭz′əm ]
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. Compare diamagnetism ferromagnetism.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
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