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

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

As the sun set brilliantly over the Caribbean Sea, those were magnetic moments that had returned as a timely cue to appreciate the raw beauty of kindness. —Tenille Clarke, Essence, 21 Dec. 2023

Word History

First Known Use

1865, in the meaning defined above

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