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
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Recent Examples on the Web
In order to store information, spintronic devices need materials that have a permanent magnetization, or magnetic moment.
—
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.
—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.
—IEEE Spectrum, 23 Dec. 2023
See All Example Sentences for 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.
—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.
—IEEE Spectrum, 23 Dec. 2023
See All Example Sentences for magnetic moment
Cite this Entry
“Magnetic moment.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/magnetic%20moment. Accessed 8 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical 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
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