polarizabilityn.
/ˌpəʊlərʌɪzəˈbɪlᵻti/, U.S. /ˈˌpoʊləˌraɪzəˈbɪlᵻdi/ Physics and Chemistry.
The property of being polarizable; spec. the degree to which an atom or molecule can be polarized, expressed in terms of the electric dipole moment induced by unit electric field.
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the world > matter > physics > electromagnetic radiation > electricity > electric polarization > [noun] > capability of
polarizability1841
the world > matter > physics > quantum theory > quantum mechanics > quantum electrodynamics > [noun] > capability of polarization
polarizability1930
1841 Rep. 10th Meeting Brit. Assoc. Advancem. Sci. 1840 Reports 31 In the first section the author discusses the variable polarizability of the different kinds of heat.
1855 R. Hare Exper. Investig. of Spirit Manifestations 455 The peculiarities of the spark is [sic] partially the consequence of the polarizability of the gaseous atoms through which the discharge is made.
1900 G. Iles Flame, Electr. & Camera 252 The conductivity, polarisability and other electrical properties of matter.
1930 L. Pauling & S. Goudsmit Struct. Line Spectra iii. 45 The electric moment of the induced dipole is αF, in which α is called the ‘polarizability’ of the atom or ion.
1974 Nature 23 Aug. 686/3 The fourth chapter..is an excellent account of the determination of dipole moments and polarisabilities of molecules in excited electronic states.
1991 E. A. V. Ebsworth et al. Struct. Methods Inorg. Chem. (BNC) (ed. 2) 178 A vibration will give rise to a Raman line if it leads to a change in the polarizability of the molecule.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, September 2006; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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n.1841