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magnetometer

[ mag-ni-tom-i-ter ]

noun

  1. an instrument for measuring the intensity of a magnetic field, especially the earth's magnetic field.
  2. an instrument for detecting the presence of ferrous or magnetic materials, especially one used to detect concealed weapons at airports.


magnetometer

/ ˌmæɡnɪˈtɒmɪtə; ˌmæɡnɪtəʊˈmɛtrɪk /

noun

  1. any instrument for measuring the intensity or direction of a magnetic field, esp the earth's field


magnetometer

/ măg′nĭ-tŏmĭ-tər /

  1. An instrument for measuring the magnitude and direction of a magnetic field. Magnetometers are often used in archaeological and geological investigations to determine the intensity and direction of the Earth's magnetic field at various times in the past by examining the strength and direction of magnetization of ferromagnetic materials in different geological strata.


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Derived Forms

  • ˌmagneˈtometry, noun
  • magnetometric, adjective

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Other Words From

  • mag·ne·to·met·ric [mag-nee-t, uh, -, me, -trik], adjective
  • magne·tome·try noun

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Word History and Origins

Origin of magnetometer1

First recorded in 1820–30; magneto- + -meter

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Example Sentences

We then used an ultrasensitive superconducting magnetometer and a special carbon dioxide laser to rapidly heat those samples in a way that avoids altering their iron minerals.

His magnetometer was deceptively simple, consisting of two bar magnets, one suspended in the air by a fiber and one placed a known distance away.

Among these new technologies was a small, portable device known as a fluxgate magnetometer.

In a fluxgate magnetometer, instead of a spinning needle like in a compass, a bar of iron is wrapped in two coils of wire.

Another Republican lawmaker referred to the magnetometers as “atrocities,” according to the Washington Post.

From Time

But another method of detecting the position of a metallic mass is by the use of the magnetometer.

A is the upper end of a glass tube, half a metre or so in length, which is clamped in a vertical position behind the magnetometer.

The wire is supported inside the glass tube A with its upper pole at the same height as the magnetometer needle.

With a good unifilar magnetometer, at a fixed observatory distant from the magnetic poles, having a fixed mark of Charts.

The apparatus may even be employed for measuring magnetic forces, as it constitutes a very sensitive magnetometer.

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magnetomechanical ratiomagnetomotive