polarizable, a.
(ˈpəʊləraɪzəb(ə)l)
[f. polarize + -able.]
Capable of being polarized. Hence polarizaˈbility, 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.
| 1846 Worcester, Polarizable, that may be polarized. Phil. Mag. 1878 Smithsonian Rep. 364 Albumen electrodes (i.e., non-polarizable electrodes). 1900 G. Iles Flame, Electr. & Camera 252 The conductivity, polarisability and other electrical properties of matter. 1930 Pauling & Goudsmit Structure 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. 1947 Slater & Frank Electromagnetism iv. 44 We thus have means for finding the dielectric constant of a material, if we know the polarizability of its molecules. 1964 Phillips & Williams Inorg. Chem. I. iv. 132 The simplest theoretical treatment of the London effect leads to an energy between identical atoms or molecules given by - 3/4 hνα3 / r6 . α, the polarizability of the atom or molecule, may be determined from its molecular refraction. 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. |