1. (magnetic dipole moment) (symbol: m; unit: ampere metre2) A measure of the strength of a magnet. When a magnet is placed in a homogeneous magnetic flux of magnetic flux density B it experiences a torque T such that
where m is the magnetic moment. If the magnet is a small coil of area dA carrying a current I, then the magnetic moment m is equal to IdA.
2. (magnetic dipole moment) (symbol: pm; unit: weber metre) The product of magnetic moment m and the permeability of free space, μ0:
Historically magnets and small circulating currents were considered to be dipoles consisting of two equal and opposite magnetic poles, analogous to electric charges, separated by a distance r (the magnetic length). The magnetic dipole moment pm was the product of the magnetic pole strength and the magnetic length; it was determined by the torque, T, experienced when the magnet was placed in a magnetic field H. Thus pm was determined by the relation:
Modern usage strongly favours the first definition, the second definition being very rarely used. Small magnets, however, are frequently referred to as dipoles, particularly on an atomic scale, and the magnetic moment m termed the magnetic dipole moment. In modern texts these terms are defined by the first definition above. The term ‘magnetic moment’ has been used wherever possible throughout this dictionary as defined in 1. above.