Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

polarizability

Noun

/ˌpoʊləraɪˈzæləti/

Definition

Polarizability refers to the ability of a charge distribution to be distorted by an external electric field.

Examples

The polarizability of a molecule influences its color and optical properties.
When exposed to an electric field, highly polarizable materials will exhibit significant changes in their charge distribution.

Meaning

It is a measure of how easily the electron cloud around an atom or molecule can be distorted, which affects how the substance interacts with electric fields and light.