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

Overall, this research advances our understanding of the atomic structure of glasses, providing new directions for material control and development.

From Science Daily • Jun. 3, 2024

However, their atomic structure becomes unstable when the battery is being charged.

From Science Daily • May 8, 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

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