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

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

atomic structure

In this way, the researchers were able to address a difficult tradeoff between achieving a highly ordered atomic structure and maintaining an even distribution of very small catalyst particles.

From Science Daily ● Aug. 8, 2026

In the worm's jaws, sharper changes in strain across tiny regions appear to increase the interlocking of defects within the atomic structure, producing the characteristic size effect.

From Science Daily ● Jul. 16, 2026

Now, researchers from MIT and collaborating institutions have, for the first time, mapped the three dimensional atomic structure of a relaxor ferroelectric.

From Science Daily ● May 4, 2026

"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

James Chadwick’s discovery of the neutron in early 1932 posed questions about atomic structure and behavior that could not be fully processed without an understanding of chemistry in addition to physics.

From "Big Science" by Michael Hiltzik

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