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Glite Dictionary
magnetic dipole moment

magnetic dipole moment

8.4
A number that shows how strongly and which way something acts like a tiny magnet
  • noun
  • /mæɡˈnɛtɪk ˈdaɪpoʊl ˈmoʊmənt/
  • Specialized
translation icon : momento dipolar magnético
  • In her experiment, the researcher calculated the magnetic dipole moment to analyze the effect of the magnetic source.

Each proton has a magnetic dipole moment.

Examples

  • The magnetic dipole moment of the particle determines the strength of the magnetic field it generates.

  • Axial magnetic dipole moment induced in the Madison Dynamo Experiment.

    Academic text (2006)

  • After adding the usual interaction between the magnetic field B and the magnetic dipole moment (S/S) of a particle with spin S, and then expressing terms in a nonrelativistic form, one finds that the Lorentz-violating background couples to spin much like a magnetic field does.

    Academic text (2004)

  • Scientists measure the magnetic dipole moment to understand how certain particles interact with magnetic fields.

Synonyms

magnetic moment
vsmagnetic dipole moment
  • Specialized
1 7.2

A measure of how strongly something turns near a magnet and which way it points

is about how the source creates the surrounding field rather than the torque it experiences
moment of a magnet
vsmagnetic dipole moment
  • Specialized
9.2

A measure of how strongly and in what direction a magnet turns in a magnetic field

is about how the source makes the surrounding field rather than feeling torque

Surface Forms

magnetic dipole moment singular
magnetic dipole moments plural

Morphology

magnetic + dipole + moment

The compound is transparently compositional: 'magnetic' (relating to magnetism) + 'dipole' (two opposite poles) + 'moment' (a quantitative measure) together yield the idea of a measure of a magnetic dipole's strength and orientation. Although it is a technical physics term, the constituent meanings directly lead to the MWE meaning, so a learner who knows the parts can infer it.

Etymology

Magnetic dipole moment comes from the image of a tiny magnet: magnetic means 'about magnets', dipole means 'two ends', and moment means 'turning power'. So, it describes how strong and which way a small magnet or a loop of electric current will point or turn when near a magnet.