| magnetic north |
the northern direction indicated by a magnetic needle, in line with the earth's magnetic pole but usu. not true north. |
| magnetic pickup |
a phonograph pickup in which vibrations of the stylus are received by a coil in a magnetic field and thus converted to electrical current. |
| magnetic pole |
either of the apparent poles of a permanent magnet, at which the lines of magnetic force seem to converge. [2 definitions] |
| magnetic recording |
the process or product of recording a series of electrical signals onto a magnetizable surface, esp. used for audio, visual, and computer data. |
| magnetic resonance imaging |
a non-invasive medical imaging technology using radio waves and powerful magnetic fields to make the interior of the human body visible in three dimensions and in real time.(abbrev.: MRI) |
| magnetics |
(used with a sing. verb) the branch of physics concerned with magnets and magnetism. |
| magnetic storm |
a temporary widespread disturbance of the earth's magnetic field, caused by unusual solar activity. |
| magnetic tape |
a plastic tape coated with magnetic iron oxide, used to store recorded material. |
| magnetic wire |
a thin wire made of a ferromagnetic alloy, used to store recorded material. |
| magnetism |
the qualities and properties associated with magnets; ability to attract. [3 definitions] |
| magnetite |
a black, naturally occurring oxide of iron that is attracted to magnets and is important commercially as a source of iron. |
| magnetize |
to cause to become a magnet. [2 definitions] |
| magneto |
a device for producing an electric current, consisting of a coil of wire that rotates within the force field of a permanent magnet. |
| magnetoelectric |
of, indicating, or relating to electricity produced by magnets or magnetic fields. |
| magnetohydrodynamics |
(used with a sing. verb) the branch of physics concerned with the behavior of electrically conductive fluids, such as ionized gas or molten metal, in a magnetic field. |
| magnetometer |
a device for determining the strength and direction of magnetic fields, esp. that of the earth. |
| magneton |
a unit used to express the magnetic moment of an atomic or subatomic particle. |
| magnetopause |
the outer limit of the area in which a planet's magnetic field is stronger than the interplanetary field. |
| magnetosphere |
a region between five hundred and several thousand miles above the earth's surface, in which charged particles are trapped by the earth's magnetic field. |
| magnetron |
a vacuum tube that produces microwaves by the action of an external magnetic field on electrons in the tube. |
| magni- |
large; great. |