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diatomic

American  
[dahy-uh-tom-ik] / ˌdaɪ əˈtɒm ɪk /

adjective

Chemistry.
  1. having two atoms in the molecule.

  2. containing two replaceable atoms or groups; binary.


diatomic British  
/ ˌdaɪəˈtɒmɪk /

adjective

    1. containing two atoms

    2. containing two characteristic groups or atoms

      ethylene glycol is a diatomic alcohol

"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

Other Word Forms


Etymology

Origin of diatomic

First recorded in 1865–70; di- 1 + atomic


Vocabulary lists containing diatomic

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.

See Examples For:

"We have systemically addressed the challenges in electro-biomanufacturing by identifying the metabolic and biochemical limits of diatomic carbon use and have overcome these limits."

From Science Daily ● Nov. 14, 2024

Write separate equations for the reactions of the solid metals magnesium, aluminum, and iron with diatomic oxygen gas to yield the corresponding metal oxides.

From Textbooks ● Feb. 14, 2019

Finally, the magnesium chloride is melted and electrolyzed to yield liquid magnesium metal and diatomic chlorine gas.

From Textbooks ● Feb. 14, 2019

The other halogens are also diatomic; Br2 is a liquid and I2 exists as a solid under normal conditions.

From Textbooks ● Feb. 14, 2019

For a diatomic gas, the molecular heat would be nearly five calories, or the atomic heat of a gas in the diatomic state would be 2.5.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 5, Slice 1 "Calhoun" to "Camoens" by Various

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