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magnetic moment
noun
: a vector quantity that is a measure of the torque exerted on a magnetic system (such as a bar magnet or dipole) when placed in a magnetic field and that for a magnet is the product of the distance between its poles and the strength of either pole
Examples of magnetic moment in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
In order to store information, spintronic devices need materials that have a permanent magnetization, or magnetic moment.
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Pedram Khalili, IEEE Spectrum, 26 June 2015
Its value is determined mostly by the magnetic moment of the bare electron field; the largest changes arise from the electromagnetic field, and they can be calculated with astonishing precision.
—
Luke Caldwell, Scientific American, 1 Feb. 2024
On the one hand, the atoms inside iron germanium have magnetic moments that tend to want to align with their neighbors.
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IEEE Spectrum, 23 Dec. 2023
On the other hand, the structure of the crystal itself motivates the magnetic moments to rotate with respect to their neighbors.
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IEEE Spectrum, 23 Dec. 2023
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Word History
First Known Use
1865, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near magnetic moment
Cite this Entry
“Magnetic moment.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/magnetic%20moment. Accessed 11 Feb. 2025.
Medical Definition
magnetic moment
noun
magnetic mo·ment
-ˈmō-mənt
: a vector quantity that is a measure of the torque exerted on a magnetic system (as a bar magnet or dipole) when placed in a magnetic field and that for a magnet is the product of the distance between its poles and the strength of either pole
More from Merriam-Webster on magnetic moment
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about magnetic moment
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