What does the magnetic term diamagnetism mean?
Diamagnetism refers to the ability of a material to create an opposing magnetic field when exposed to a strong magnetic field. The effect is caused by a change in the orbit of electrons, which generate small currents that oppose magnetism from other sources. Many nonmagnetic materials have diamagnetic properties, such as water, wood, plants, animals and humans, with carbon and bismuth being the strongest diamagnetic materials. Organic compounds such as petroleum and heavy metals such as gold or mercury are also very strong diamagnetic materials. Although it is millions of times weaker than normal magnetic force, diamagnetism can also cause levitation under the right circumstances. Diamagnetic materials are also repelled by external magnetic forces because of the eddy currents that form in their magnetic field.