atomic structure


nounPhysics.
  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.

Origin of atomic structure

1
First recorded in 1895–1900

Words Nearby atomic structure

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use atomic structure in a sentence

  • "Well, you know what happens when a photon comes in contact with the atomic structure of matter," Kato said.

    The Mercenaries | Henry Beam Piper
  • His own atomic structure mingled with that of the alien thing and yet, for a moment, he retained his Earthly form.

    Wanderer of Infinity | Harl Vincent
  • I cannot dematerialize either you or your vessel until I work out the formula for your peculiar atomic structure.

    The Skylark of Space | Edward Elmer Smith and Lee Hawkins Garby
  • Each condition, and there are many more than the two under consideration, blends with its neighbour, via atomic structure.

    Occult Chemistry | Annie Besant and Charles W. Leadbeater

British Dictionary definitions for atomic structure

atomic structure

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

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012