Polarity: meaning, definitions and examples
๐
polarity
[ pษหlรฆr.ษช.ti ]
scientific concept
Polarity refers to the separation of electric charges leading to a molecular or atomic structure that has distinct positive and negative ends. In chemistry, it describes how certain molecules, like water, exhibit partial positive and negative charges due to differences in electronegativity among atoms. This property is crucial for understanding interactions between different substances, as polar molecules tend to interact well with other polar substances, while nonpolar molecules do not. Polarity is also significant in fields such as physics and biology, influencing phenomena ranging from chemical reactions to cell membrane functions.
Synonyms
charge separation, dichotomy, directionality.
Examples of usage
- Water molecules demonstrate polarity, making them excellent solvents.
- The polarity of a molecule can affect its boiling point.
- Understanding the polarity of compounds is essential in organic chemistry.
- Polarity influences how substances mix together.
Translations
Translations of the word "polarity" in other languages:
๐ต๐น polaridade
๐ฎ๐ณ เคงเฅเคฐเฅเคตเฅเคฏเคคเคพ
๐ฉ๐ช Polaritรคt
๐ฎ๐ฉ polaritas
๐บ๐ฆ ะฟะพะปััะฝัััั
๐ต๐ฑ polaryzacja
๐ฏ๐ต ๆฅตๆง
๐ซ๐ท polaritรฉ
๐ช๐ธ polaridad
๐น๐ท polarite
๐ฐ๐ท ๊ทน์ฑ
๐ธ๐ฆ ุงููุทุจูุฉ
๐จ๐ฟ polarita
๐ธ๐ฐ polarita
๐จ๐ณ ๆๆง
๐ธ๐ฎ polariteta
๐ฎ๐ธ skautun
๐ฐ๐ฟ ะฟะพะปััะปัา
๐ฌ๐ช แแแแแ แแแ
๐ฆ๐ฟ polaritet
๐ฒ๐ฝ polaridad
Etymology
The term 'polarity' originated from the Latin word 'polaris', meaning 'of the poles', which refers to the north and south poles of a magnet or planet. It is derived from the Greek word 'polos', meaning 'pivot' or 'axis'. The term began to be used in the early 19th century in the context of electricity and magnetism to denote the oppositional characteristics of electric charges and magnetic poles. As scientific understanding evolved, the term was adopted in various fields, including chemistry, where it describes the distribution of electrical charge within molecules. Over time, 'polarity' has grown to encompass broader meanings, including descriptions of oppositional forces or characteristics in various contexts.
Word Frequency Rank
Ranked #11,276, this word falls into high-advanced vocabulary. It appears less frequently but is valuable for expressing precise meanings in specific contexts.
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- 11273 bizarre
- 11274 blight
- 11275 approximated
- 11276 polarity
- 11277 repository
- 11278 blush
- 11279 scroll
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