What does diamagnetically mean?
Diamagnetically is an adverb describing the behavior of a diamagnetic material: a substance that is weakly repelled by an applied magnetic field. The term is used primarily in physics, chemistry, and materials science, especially when discussing magnetic susceptibility, diamagnetic levitation, or the separation of materials with different magnetic properties. In a demonstration using a powerful magnet, a diamagnetically responsive material can appear to float because the magnetic force counters gravity. The repulsion is generally subtle, so familiar examples such as water are only weakly diamagnetic. Diamagnetically is related in meaning to diamagnetism, the property itself, and diamagnetic, the corresponding adjective. It should not be confused with diametrically, which describes direct opposition or contrast without any implication about magnetism.
adverbIn a way characteristic of a diamagnetic substance, which is weakly repelled by an applied magnetic field.
- With respect to the repulsive magnetic response of a diamagnetic substance.
"The sample was diamagnetically levitated above the magnet."
"The superconducting particle was diamagnetically levitated as the magnetic field increased."
"Water is diamagnetically repelled, although the effect is extremely weak."
Diamagnetic materials are so weakly repelled by magnets that a sufficiently strong field can make one float.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does diamagnetically come from?
Diamagnetically was formed from diamagnetism with the adverbial suffix -ly. Diamagnetism combines the prefix dia-, derived from Greek dia-, with magnetism, a word based on the Greek term magnētis, meaning “magnet.” The specialized adjective and noun developed in the nineteenth century as the magnetic properties of matter were systematically investigated.
Related word forms
How diamagnetically is actually used
This is a technical adverb used chiefly in physics and materials science. It commonly occurs with terms such as “repelled,” “responsive,” and “levitated” and is not a general synonym for “in an opposite way.”
Easily confused with diamagnetically
Diamagnetically describes repulsion from a magnetic field, whereas diametrically means in a directly opposite or contrasting way.