curie's law: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Formal, Technical, Academic
Quick answer
What does “curie's law” mean?
A physical law stating that the magnetic susceptibility of a paramagnetic material is inversely proportional to its absolute temperature.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A physical law stating that the magnetic susceptibility of a paramagnetic material is inversely proportional to its absolute temperature.
In physics, the principle that for many paramagnetic materials, magnetization is directly proportional to an applied magnetic field and inversely proportional to temperature, demonstrating the temperature dependence of paramagnetism.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in usage. Spelling of 'law' is identical. Pronunciation may follow regional patterns for 'Curie'.
Connotations
Conveys connotations of foundational physics, classical theory, and scientific rigor in both varieties.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in general discourse. Used with identical, niche frequency within academic physics communities in both regions.
Grammar
How to Use “curie's law” in a Sentence
[Subject: Material/System] + obeys/follows/deviates from + Curie's lawCurie's law + states/implies/predicts + [clause]According to/From + Curie's law, ...Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “curie's law” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The Curie's law behaviour was evident in the data.
- This is a classic Curie's law paramagnet.
American English
- The Curie's law behavior was evident in the data.
- This is a classic Curie's law paramagnet.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Core terminology in physics lectures, textbooks, and research papers on magnetism.
Everyday
Virtually never used.
Technical
Essential in materials science, engineering physics, and laboratory reports involving magnetic measurements.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “curie's law”
Neutral
Weak
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “curie's law”
- Pronouncing 'Curie' as /ˈkɜːr.i/ instead of /ˈkjʊə.ri/.
- Writing 'Curies law' without the apostrophe.
- Confusing it with Curie-Weiss law, which is a modification.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is named after the French physicist Pierre Curie, who formulated it in 1895.
It is strictly valid only for ideal, non-interacting paramagnetic materials. It fails at very low temperatures or when interactions between magnetic moments become significant, leading to the more general Curie-Weiss law.
They are related concepts in magnetism but distinct. Curie's law describes paramagnetism. The Curie temperature is the critical point above which a ferromagnetic material loses its permanent magnetism and becomes paramagnetic, often then obeying a modified form of Curie's law.
No, it applies specifically to paramagnetic materials. Diamagnetic and ferromagnetic materials follow different rules. Even for paramagnets, it is an idealization.
A physical law stating that the magnetic susceptibility of a paramagnetic material is inversely proportional to its absolute temperature.
Curie's law is usually formal, technical, academic in register.
Curie's law: in British English it is pronounced /ˈkjʊə.riːz ˌlɔː/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈkjʊriːz ˌlɔː/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine Madame Curie (Marie) holding a magnet that gets WEAKER as the weather gets HOTTER (temperature increases). Her husband Pierre's law: Heat fights magnetism.
Conceptual Metaphor
MAGNETIC RESPONSE IS A TUG-OF-WAR (between aligning magnetic moments and disordering thermal energy).
Practice
Quiz
In which of these contexts would you most likely encounter 'Curie's law'?