We explore the consequences of a force density, [image omitted], studied by some authors, for the device designed by Lai (1980 "Am. J. Phys. 48" 658) to analyse which definition of electromagnetic momentum density, either Minkowski's or Abraham's, is consistent with mechanical torques that arise from the change in time of a magnetic field, which produces an induced electric field that acts on free and polarization charges. It is found that Minkowski's definition is consistent with the mechanical torques associated with free charges, while Abraham's is consistent with mechanical torques associated with both free and polarization charges. We show that with this new force density Lai's work (1980 "Am. J. Phys. 48" 658) can be extended to include magnetic media. The results are consistent with Abraham's definition of electromagnetic momentum density, extending in this way its usefulness to magnetic media. (Contains 1 figure.)