Magnetic moment Definition and 181 Threads

The magnetic moment is the magnetic strength and orientation of a magnet or other object that produces a magnetic field. Examples of objects that have magnetic moments include: loops of electric current (such as electromagnets), permanent magnets, elementary particles (such as electrons), various molecules, and many astronomical objects (such as many planets, some moons, stars, etc).
More precisely, the term magnetic moment normally refers to a system's magnetic dipole moment, the component of the magnetic moment that can be represented by an equivalent magnetic dipole: a magnetic north and south pole separated by a very small distance. The magnetic dipole component is sufficient for small enough magnets or for large enough distances. Higher-order terms (such as the magnetic quadrupole moment) may be needed in addition to the dipole moment for extended objects.
The magnetic dipole moment of an object is readily defined in terms of the torque that object experiences in a given magnetic field. The same applied magnetic field creates larger torques on objects with larger magnetic moments. The strength (and direction) of this torque depends not only on the magnitude of the magnetic moment but also on its orientation relative to the direction of the magnetic field. The magnetic moment may be considered, therefore, to be a vector. The direction of the magnetic moment points from the south to north pole of the magnet (inside the magnet).
The magnetic field of a magnetic dipole is proportional to its magnetic dipole moment. The dipole component of an object's magnetic field is symmetric about the direction of its magnetic dipole moment, and decreases as the inverse cube of the distance from the object.

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  1. Suraj M

    Magnetic moment and magnetic properties

    Homework Statement Mn+2 has a higher magnetic moment than Fe+2 but practically Fe+2 is ferromagnetic right? So more magnetic right? Homework Equations ## μ = √ (n(n+1))##[/B] The Attempt at a Solution For the Mn ion it comes to be √35 and for the ferrous ion √25 So yes Mn+2 is more...
  2. Priyadarshini

    What Is a Magnetic Moment and Its Significance?

    Hi! I recently learned about magnetic moments of atoms and their ions. I understand the formula and the calculations. However, what exactly IS a magnetic moment? What does the value in Bohr Magnetons give us? How does this value affect the properties of the atom/ion? Thanks in advance!
  3. sergiokapone

    Wire loop in magnetic field of the long magnet

    Homework Statement The wire loop ##ABCD## is in a magnetic field of the long thin rod magnet with a magnetic moment per unit volume of ##\mathfrak{M}_0## and a cross section ##S##. The north pole of this magnet is in the center of the loop, and the magnet is perpendicular to the plane of the...
  4. H

    Prove that the torque of any current loop is m X B

    Homework Statement Problem 6.2 of Griffith's "Introduction to Electrodynamics": Starting from the Lorentz force law ##\vec F=\int I (d\vec l \times \vec B)##, show that the torque on any steady current distribution (not just a square loop) in a uniform field ##\vec B## is ##\vec m\times \vec...
  5. Maximtopsecret

    How to Calculate Magnetic Moment of Rotating Electrons in a Straight Line?

    Homework Statement Here we have two electrons rotating around z axis with angular speed w in a circle of radius R. They are on the same straight line (have difference in phase π). Find the magnetic moment. Homework Equations Magn. moment m=(1/2c)*∫dV [ r j ] The Attempt at a Solution Current...
  6. J

    Magnetic moment of paramagnetic crystal

    Hello, I've been having some trouble with a paramagnetism problem from my Statistical Mechanics class textbook (F. Mandl, Statistical Physics, 2nd edition, p. 25). The problem is as follows 1. Homework Statement 2. Homework Equations 1. The temperature parameter \displaystyle{ \beta =...
  7. F

    Working out magnetic moment and electric quadrupole moment

    Could somebody check if I have done this correctly please? 1. Homework Statement Draw the shell filling for oxygen isotopes and make predictions of their nuclear spin, parity, magnetic moment and electric quadrupole moment. Homework Equations Magnetic moment μ = gj j μN Electric quadrupole...
  8. T

    Magnetic Moment and permeablity

    Hi, I understand that magnetic flux is like electric current and will take the path of least resistance, but I really don't like the current analogy and here's one question where it doesn't help: Say you've got a piece of Ferro Iron where the magnetic moments are not lined up, you put a...
  9. T

    Magnetic Moment and Principal Quantum No of electron

    Homework Statement The magnetic moment of a revolving electron around the nucleus varies with principal quantum number as ? Homework Equations mvr = nh/2π The Attempt at a Solution i know μ = (qωr2 )/ 2 and after that i am substituting values for r and i get μ∝ n2 but that is wrong.Help !
  10. N

    How does uncertainty apply to an electron's magnetic moment measurement?

    The electron paths in the path integral formulation of qm are in ordinary space-time. The end-points of the paths in the steady states must be in ordinary space-time as well. The electron's potential is exact or nearly exact either by measurement or by calculation. The electron's locations...
  11. AdityaDev

    Diamagnetism and orbital magnetic moment

    For diamagnetic materials, when an external magnetic field is applied, the electrons having orbital magnetic moment in opposite directions spped up. how does this happen? The direction of magnetic momwnt is given by right hand thum rule. If there is an electron revolving in anticlockwise...
  12. ognik

    Magnetic moment of current loop integral

    The question states: The calculation of the magnetic moment of a current loop leads to the line integral ∮ r x dr I am puzzled - shouldn't this be ∮ r x dl where r is the radius of the loop and dl is the small change along the loop? (I think dr would be in the same direction as r, so no cross...
  13. schrodingerscat11

    What does a magnetic moment of an atom mean?

    I am using VASP and it recommended to use the experimental magnetic moment for MAGMOM tag. The problem is I can't find a standard table of magnetic moments. I see different values from different sources. E.g In Web Elements, the magnetic moment of Fe is 0.096 μ/μN. But in another source, it is...
  14. TrickyDicky

    Magnetic moment from neutral particles in QFT

    Could somebody take a stab at explaining how can quantum fluctuations give neutral elementary particles a magnetic moment? (in the usual explanation given by QFT textbooks, I think there are people around here denying the existence of quantum fluctuations, insert the more neutral expression...
  15. D

    Calculating magnetic moment given magnetization

    Homework Statement Consider a square slab of magnetized material with sides ##2a##, and thickness ##d##, as shown. The magnetization is not uniform: $$M = M_o cos(\frac{2πx}{ a}) \hat{z} $$b) Calculate the total magnetic moment of this object. How would you guess the magnetic field decreases...
  16. V

    Magnetic moment of a particle suspended in a magnetic field?

    Derive the following expressions for ux, uy and uz: ux(t) = ux(0) cos(wo t) + uy(0) sin(wo t) uy(t) = - ux(0) sin(wo t) + uy(0) cos(wo t) uz(t) = uz(0) wo is angular frequency. wo = g Bo Homework Equations wo of this precession is proportional to Bo u and J have the same orientation: u = g J...
  17. Prashasti

    Spin Magnetic Moment: Does an Electron Really Spin?

    Does an electron really spin about its own axis? If not, what does spin magnetic moment imply? My physics teacher said "Besides the orbital moment, an electron has an intrinsic magnetic moment, it is called the spin magnetic moment, But I hasten to add that it is not as though the electron is...
  18. nmbr28albert

    Stern-Gerlach Experiment (spatial consistency of the magnetic moment)

    In the Stern-Gerlach experiment, we have an inhomogeneous magnetic field aligned with the axis labeled z. The two distinct deflections are caused by the force from two distinct magnetic moments \mu = \gamma S. I understand that the spin larmor precesses around the field and that the expectation...
  19. kartikwat

    Exploring the Intrinsic Magnetic Moment of Electrons

    What does the term magnetic moment mean and how to look at it intellectually .what are its effects,what are its type
  20. B

    Problem with shell model and magnetic moment of Lithium-6

    I have a problem with the calculus of magnetic moment of Li-6. The configuration of protons is 1p_{3/2}, and the neutrons' one is the same. I have to add the magnetic moment of uncoupled proton and uncoupled neutron. I use the following formula for J=l+\frac{1}{2} (J is the particle...
  21. R

    Calculating the saturation magnetic moment (Condensed Matter)

    Show that the experimental data are consistent with a Lande g factor of 2 for each of the ions by calculating the saturation magnetic moment. Explain what this means for Cr. I've calculated J using Hunds rules and have the equation M = gμJn, where M is the saturation magnetic moment. BUT...
  22. carllacan

    Doubts about the electron magnetic moment.

    Hi. According to this page and other sources I found the z-component of the electronic magnetic moment is greater than the classically calculated value due to relativistic effects. Which makes me wonder: 1) What about the x and y components? I am completely lost as to why only the z axis...
  23. carllacan

    Why does the electron have a magnetic moment?

    Hi. I thought magnetic moment arose from closed loops of charge currents. How does then the angular momentum of the electron produce a magnetic moment? I mean, the electron is not a loop. Am I wrong in my initial assumption or am I understanding things too "classically"? Thanks.
  24. B

    Short webpage title: Calculating Moments of Inertia and Magnetic Moment

    Homework Statement For any flat object, located in the x-y plan applies to the equation: Ix+Iy=Iz where Ix,Iy,Iz is the moments of inertia about the x-axis, y-axis and z-axis. A flat circular coil has n windings and radius r. The mass of the coil is m. The coil is located in the x-y plan...
  25. E

    Magnetic moment of singly ionized helium

    Homework Statement Find the magnetic moment of singly ionized helium in terms of Bohr Magneton I know the expression for the Bohr Magneton -- I am not trying to get a walk-through here as I want to do this myself, but I just want to know if I am correct in assuming that to get the problem...
  26. I

    How does magnetic moment transform due to relativity?

    Hi, I have seen textbooks model how an electric field of an electron changes when viewed from another frame of reference. In these models, the electric fields seems to "compress" along the axis of motion. What happens to the magnetic moment in these situations? Does the magnetic moment also get...
  27. S

    Magnetic Moment Of Steel and Iron Wire

    Hello all, i would like to ask which is the magnetic moment of a steel and a iron wire with a length of 10,20 or 30cm! Is there any equation from which the magnetic moment can be derived? Thanks in advance :)!
  28. J

    Calculating Magnetic Moment of Nickel per Kg

    Homework Statement For nickel, which has an atomic magnetic moment of 0.61 and an atomic weight of 58.7, calculate the magnetic moment per kilogram of the material Homework Equations None given The Attempt at a Solution Do I not need density to use formula for saturation...
  29. H

    Effective Magnetic Field in Ground-State Hydrogen Atom?

    Homework Statement A hydrogen atom in its ground state actually has two possible, closely spaced energy levels because the electron is in the magnetic field B of the proton (the nucleus). Accordingly, an energy is associated with the orientation of the electron's magnetic moment (μ)...
  30. Z

    How do you calculate the magnetic moment of the ground state of Calciu

    Homework Statement Calculate the magnetic moment of the ground state of \,_{20}^{39}Ca. Compare to the experimental value in table 1. Homework Equations Nuclear Shell Model knowledge The Attempt at a Solution Well firstly the magnetic moment of the nucleus similar to the spin is...
  31. M

    Proton magnetic moment flip angle 54.7 in an external magnetic field

    i am reading about MRI. i have seen several in several textbooks that the angle between the direction of the proton magnetic moment μ and the direction of the external magnetic field is 54.7 how did they find that theoretical or experimental if theoretical how can we calculate that
  32. Z

    Magnetic moment of the Muon and Tau

    For the electron, wiki lists its magnetic moment as −1.00115965218076(27) μB. It does not list it for the Muon or Tau. Wiki does show for the Muon the Anomalous magnetic dipole moment of 0.00116592089. Is it correct to assume the magnetic moment of the Muon is -1.00116592089 μB? For the...
  33. S

    Magnetic moment of a solid, uniformly charged ball

    Homework Statement Show for a solid spherical ball of mass m rotating through its centre with a charge q uniformly distributed on the surface of the ball that the magnetic moment μ is related to the angular momentum L by the relation: \textbf{μ} = \frac{5q}{6mc}\textbf{L}Homework Equations μ...
  34. H

    Why the magnetic moment is zero for occupied levels?

    I can not get convinced why for energy level, filled with an even number of electrons, the net magnetic moment is zero! If we have a level with the quantum number l, we have two electrons with opposite spins in it. Also magnetic moment is proportional to Jtotal where J_t= J_1+J_2(1and 2 refer...
  35. W

    Magnetic moment in a uniform/non-uniform magnetic field?

    Hello, What's the difference? Being in a uniform or nonuniform magnetic field? If a magnetic moment(magnet) is place in both, what is the result?
  36. I

    Magnetic Moment of Point Charge

    Say I have a stationary point charge with a matching charge moving past it at a velocity. What is the magnetic potential energy of the stationary point charge? The formula for magnetic potential energy involves pole strength so I am confused. I can calculate the B field the stationary particle...
  37. S

    Magnetic Moment of a Charged, Rotating Sphere Problem

    Homework Statement Show for a solid spherical ball of mass m rotating about an axis through its center with a charge q uniformly distributed on the surface of the ball that the magnetic moment μ is related to the angular momentum L by the relation μ=(5q/6mc)L Homework Equations μ=IA/c...
  38. V

    Magnetic Moment- Spin System - Probability

    Homework Statement Spin-system: A spin-system has N = 30 localized particles with spin quantum number s = ½ and magnetic moment µ0. m = M/µ0 is the magnetic moment M in vertical direction (ms = +½) in units of µ0. Calculate the probability PN(m) for the total magnetic moment M to achieve...
  39. T

    NMR Magnetic Moment: Understanding Bloch Equations and Relaxation Terms

    Let M be the magnetic moment of a system. Below are the Bloch equations, including the relaxation terms. dM_x/dt=({\bf M} \times \gamma {\bf H_0})_x-M_x/T_2 dM_y/dt=({\bf M} \times \gamma {\bf H_0})_y-M_y/T_2 dM_z/dt=({\bf M} \times \gamma {\bf H_0})_z+(M_{\infty}-M_z)/T1 At t=0, {\bf...
  40. C

    Magnetic Moment Definition Verification/ Proof

    I saw the equation here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magnetic_moment#Current_loop_definition for the definition of the magnetic moment for a non-planar loop. Can someone tell me if there's a name for this equation m= \frac { I }{ 2 } \int { \overrightarrow { r } } \times d\overrightarrow { r }...
  41. L

    Magnetic Moment, PLEASE ANSWER quick

    So here are two wires. With currents in the specified direction. What I want to know, is how do you determine the direction of the magnetic moment of the upper wire, which would ultimately lead to me determining what direction its torque is in, therefore letting me determine what direction it...
  42. P

    Stupid question on anomalous magnetic moment of the electron

    I don't understand one think: when we calculated the correction of the magnetic moment of the electron, we consider only the finite terms of the vertex correction that non depend on the parameter μ. Using Ryder notation , we consider only \bar{u}(p')(γμ+\Lambdaμ(2))u(p) but there is also...
  43. N

    Current loop rotating to give magnetic moment

    Homework Statement A uniform non-conducting ring of radius 0.816 cm and total charge 6.76 µC rotates with a constant angular speed of 1.73 rad/s around an axis perpendicular to the plane of the ring that passes through its center. What is the magnitude of the magnetic moment of the...
  44. T

    Magnetic moment of the electron and spin

    Quote from wikipedia about the electron's spin But in optics and other fields we learned that speeds exceeding c are possible, if they do not propagate information. So is the concept of a classical electron with definite radius still physically correct in the sense that it's surface is...
  45. A

    Magnetic Moment of an Electron

    I am sort of new to physics and have an interest in particle physics. I was trying to figure out what "magnetic moment" of an electron is and I saw this picture and I am wondering if I am correct about something. In the diagram I have supplied, does the arrow μ or the circle represent the...
  46. A

    Understanding the Magnetic Moment of an Electron: Definitions and Explanation

    What is magnetic moment of an electron. I am getting two different definitions and what does that mean in simple terms?
  47. K

    Magnetic moment due to applied external magnetic field

    Homework Statement How large externally applied magnetic filed (B_{0}) is necessary in otder for 51% of the metal ions in CuSO(_{4}) to have their magnetic moments oriented in the same direction as the applied field when the salt is kep at room temperature? Homework Equations B=\mu_{0}(H+M)...
  48. J

    Increasing total magnetic moment: permanent magnets ONLY

    This is possibly an engineering, rather than physics, question. (Ooooooooo! Busted!) John picks up a paperclip and notices that it has been (very weakly) magnetized... it attracts other paperclips, but only at ridiculously short distances. John wishes to foster this interesting...
  49. Q

    A Question about Spin Induced Magnetic Moment

    Does photon has spin induced magnetic moment? I think the answer is no. But why? You know, electron has. Does this have something to do with the fact that electron is massive while photon massless?:confused:
  50. D

    How do you calculate the Magnetic Moment of a Permanent Magnet?

    Hey! I am trying to find a permanent AlNiCo magnet with a magnetic moment of 0.06Am^2. However, most magnet data sheets do not list the magnetic moment of their magnet. Often they list the Magnetic field in Tesla or the moment in Vs*cm. How can I convert this data into the magnetic moment...
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