[dahy-uh-mag-net-ik] 
| of or pertaining to a class of substances, as bismuth and copper, whose permeability is less than that of a vacuum: in a magnetic field, their induced magnetism is in a direction opposite to that of iron. |
[dahy-uh-mag-ni-tiz-uh
m] , noun | di·a·mag·net·ic (dī'ə-māg-nět'ĭk) adj. Of or relating to a substance that is repelled by a magnet. di'a·mag'ne·tism (-nĭ-tĭz'əm) n. |
| diamagnetism (dī'ə-māg'nĭ-tĭz'əm) Pronunciation Key
The property of being repelled by both poles of a magnet. Most substances commonly considered to be nonmagnetic, such as water, are actually diamagnetic. Though diamagnetism is a very weak effect compared with ferromagnetism and paramagnetism, it can be used to levitate objects. Compare ferromagnetism, paramagnetism. See also Lenz's law. diamagnetic adjective (dī'ə-māg-nět'ĭk) |
