orthohydrogen

[ awr-thuh-hahy-druh-juhn ]

noun

, Physics, Chemistry.

1. the form of molecular hydrogen in which the nuclei of the two hydrogen atoms contained in the molecule have spins in the same direction.

orthohydrogen

/ ˌɔːθəʊˈhaɪdrədʒən /

noun

1. See parahydrogen
   chem the form of molecular hydrogen, constituting about 75 per cent of the total at normal temperatures, in which the nuclei of the atoms spin in the same direction Compare parahydrogen

Word History and Origins

Origin of orthohydrogen¹

First recorded in 1925–30; ortho- + hydrogen