noun
- the property of a material that causes it to be weakly repelled by a magnetic field, due to the orbital motion of electrons in atoms.
Usage: physics; technical
Examples
- Diamagnetism is present in all materials but is usually masked by stronger magnetic effects.
- Copper exhibits diamagnetism, which is why it is weakly repelled by strong magnets.
- The diamagnetism of water makes it slightly repelled by magnetic fields.
- Scientists study diamagnetism to understand the electronic structure of atoms.
- Unlike ferromagnetic materials, diamagnetic substances do not retain magnetization after the external field is removed.