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.

---

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

---

Etymology

Origin of atomic structure

First recorded in 1895–1900

Example Sentences

"While the changes in the atomic structure are very small, this reaction drastically alters the way these minerals absorb infrared light, which allowed identification of this new mineral on Mars using CRISM."

From Science Daily • Mar. 10, 2026

The simpler and more reduced the atomic structure of a material, the longer the quantum transition lasted.

From Science Daily • Feb. 9, 2026

These tools enabled them to examine the atomic structure of the defective graphene, confirm the presence of the engineered defects and determine how they influenced the material's chemical and electronic behavior.

From Science Daily • Dec. 4, 2025

Each node is a very small quantum computer, made out of a sliver of diamond that has a defect in its atomic structure called a silicon-vacancy center.

From Science Daily • May 15, 2024

There he would make an even greater mark on science by taking on the core question of atomic structure.

From "Big Science" by Michael Hiltzik