interatomic

American  

[in-ter-uh-tom-ik] / ˌɪn tər əˈtɒm ɪk /

adjective

1. between atoms.

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interatomic British  

/ ˌɪntərəˈtɒmɪk /

adjective

1. existing or occurring between or among atoms Compare intra-atomic

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Etymology

Origin of interatomic

First recorded in 1860–65; inter- + atomic

Example Sentences

We look forward to cranking up the interatomic interaction strength in the lab and seeing what happens.

From Scientific American • Jun. 18, 2023

The team used the approach to calculate basic properties of the molecules hydrogen and lithium hydride, such as how their energy states vary with interatomic distance.

From Nature • Oct. 1, 2019

Contact forces result from the interaction of one object touching another object, and they arise from interatomic electric forces.

From Textbooks • Aug. 12, 2015

And most importantly, it would support Steinhardt’s view that quasicrystals are true, stable states of matter shaped by unknown interatomic forces rather than random assemblages of atoms that eventually decompose.

From Scientific American • Jun. 18, 2014

While one interatomic contact was slightly shorter than optimal, it was not out of line with several published values, and I was not disturbed.

From "Double Helix" by James D. Watson