Definition

1. Noun:
   • A property of certain materials: Diamagnetism is a physical phenomenon where a material, when placed in an external magnetic field, develops a weak magnetization in the direction opposite to the applied field. This causes the material to be slightly repelled by a magnet.
   • A type of magnetic response: It is one of the fundamental types of magnetism, distinct from paramagnetism and ferromagnetism. All materials exhibit some diamagnetic effect, but it is typically very weak and often masked if the material also has paramagnetic or ferromagnetic properties.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The scientist explained that the levitation of the frog in the experiment was due to diamagnetism.
  • Bismuth is a classic example of a material with strong diamagnetism.
  • Superconductors exhibit perfect diamagnetism, also known as the Meissner effect.

Advanced Usage

• Technical Context: In physics and materials science, "diamagnetism" specifically refers to the negative magnetic susceptibility of a substance.
  • The study focused on measuring the diamagnetism of various organic compounds.
• Comparative Usage: Often discussed in contrast to other magnetic behaviors.
  • Unlike ferromagnetism, diamagnetism is present in all materials and is temperature-independent.

Variants and Related Words

• Diamagnetic (adj): Describing a material that exhibits diamagnetism.
  • Copper is a diamagnetic metal.
• Diamagnet (n): A substance that displays diamagnetic properties.
  • Pyrolytic carbon is a powerful diamagnet.

Synonyms

• Negative magnetism (technical synonym, less common).
• Repulsive magnetic response (descriptive synonym).

Antonyms

• Paramagnetism: A form of magnetism where materials are weakly attracted by an external magnetic field.
• Ferromagnetism: A strong form of magnetism where materials can retain magnetization.

Noun

1. phenomenon exhibited by materials like copper or bismuth that become magnetized in a magnetic field with a polarity opposite to the magnetic force; unlike iron they are slightly repelled by a magnet