paramagnetism
1
9.9
- noun
- /ˌpærəˈmæɡnɪzəm/
- Specialized
- Scientists study paramagnetism in materials like aluminum, which becomes magnetized only in the presence of a magnetic field.
Examples
-
When exposed to a magnetic field, the material exhibits paramagnetism, allowing it to become briefly magnetized.
-
In a subsequent chapter, paramagnetism is discussed as an effect that tends to overshadow diamagnetism.
Academic text (2003) -
And in the next chapter, ferromagnetism and other types of magnetic order are developed out of paramagnetism using molecular fields, that is, the local effective fields due to the magnetic nature of the material.
Academic text (2003) -
The phenomenon of paramagnetism occurs as certain materials gain magnetism temporarily while under the influence of a magnetic field.
How Magnetic
Surface Forms
Morphology
paramagnetism = paramagnetic (semi-transparent) = para + magnet + ism
The word is built from the scientific prefix para- plus magnet and the noun-forming suffix -ism, but the exact technical meaning is not fully predictable for an average learner.
Etymology
The word paramagnetism comes from the parts para- meaning 'near' and magnetism meaning 'the force of magnets'. So paramagnetism is the kind of magnetism that shows up only when a material is near a magnetic field and then goes away when the field is removed.