molecular orbital

noun

: a solution of the Schrödinger equation that describes the probable location of an electron relative to the nuclei in a molecule and so indicates the nature of any bond in which the electron is involved

Examples of molecular orbital in a Sentence

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Each floor has a single room representing one of these locations, or molecular orbitals. Tracy H. Schloemer, IEEE Spectrum, 19 Sep. 2023

Word History

First Known Use

1932, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of molecular orbital was in 1932

Dictionary Entries Near molecular orbital

Cite this Entry

“Molecular orbital.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/molecular%20orbital. Accessed 21 Nov. 2024.

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