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closed shell

American  

noun

Physics.
  1. (in atomic structure) a shell that contains the maximum number of electrons permitted by the exclusion principle.

  2. (in nuclear structure) a shell that contains the maximum number of nucleons permitted by the exclusion principle.


Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

“I just turned to a closed shell, I was hot-headed, stressed, depressed.”

From BBC • Oct. 23, 2024

Among the most studied interactions of π systems, the non-covalent attraction between neutral, closed shell aromatic rings is often characterized using the terms π−π interaction or π stacking12, 13, 14, 15.

From Nature • Mar. 28, 2017

Opening the oyster by roughly prying the tightly closed shell is equivalent to a major operation.

From Time Magazine Archive

A live oyster, a good one, when it hits the culling board has a tightly closed shell.

From "Jacob Have I Loved" by Katherine Paterson

She said that the houses of the rich were closed, shell windows were drawn to, and the iron-sheathed outer doors were locked and barred.

From A Woman's Impression of the Philippines by Fee, Mary Helen

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