atomic structure

American  

noun

Physics.

1. the structure of an atom, theoretically consisting of a positively charged nucleus surrounded and neutralized by negatively charged electrons revolving in orbits at varying distances from the nucleus, the constitution of the nucleus and the arrangement of the electrons differing with various chemical elements.

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atomic structure British  

noun

1. the concept of an atom as a central positively charged nucleus consisting of protons and neutrons surrounded by a number of electrons. The number of electrons is equal to the number of protons: the whole entity is thus electrically neutral

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Etymology

Origin of atomic structure

First recorded in 1895–1900

Example Sentences

These powerful facilities allowed scientists to squeeze water to pressures exceeding 1.5 million atmospheres and heat it to several thousand degrees Celsius, all while capturing snapshots of its atomic structure within trillionths of a second.

From Science Daily • Jan. 13, 2026

To induce superconductivity in such elements, scientists must carefully alter their atomic structure to increase the number of electrons available for conduction.

From Science Daily • Oct. 30, 2025

Understanding the atomic structure of the surface of a functional material is essential for both engineers and chemists.

From Science Daily • Nov. 18, 2024

And in the middle of this strange atomic structure was press from everywhere: Japanese TV, Swedish newspapers, American magazines, more.

From Slate • Apr. 30, 2024

As the decade wore on and they delved more deeply into the intricacies of atomic structure, their picture of the natural world grew only murkier.

From "Big Science" by Michael Hiltzik