The nuclear magneton is the standard unit for measuring the magnetic properties of nucleons and atomic nuclei. It is defined in terms of the elementary charge, the reduced Planck constant, and the proton rest mass. Because protons are much heavier than electrons, the nuclear magneton is roughly 1,836 times smaller than the Bohr magneton used for electron magnetic moments. It is essential in nuclear physics calculations, including nuclear magnetic resonance and particle spin interactions.
Heard on the job
The magnetic moment of the neutron is about -1.91 nuclear magnetons, a value that confirms it has an internal quark structure.