polaryzowalnoci

Polaryzowalność, commonly known in English as polarizability, refers to the tendency of an electron cloud surrounding an atom or molecule to become distorted when an external electric field is applied. This distortion results in a temporary electric dipole moment within the species. The magnitude of polarizability depends on the size and density of the electron cloud; larger, more diffuse clouds exhibit greater polarizability.

The concept is central to several areas of chemistry and physics. In intermolecular interactions, polarizability influences London dispersion forces, which are a major component of van der Waals forces. High polarizability often correlates with increased boiling points, surface tension, and refractive indices in liquids and solids. In spectroscopy, the polarizability tensor determines Raman activity; molecules whose polarizability changes significantly during vibrational motion give rise to strong Raman scattering signals.

Mathematically, polarizability is represented by a tensor that transforms the applied electric field into an induced dipole moment. Experimental determination involves measuring changes in refractive index or dielectric constants in the presence of electric fields. Theoretical calculations frequently employ quantum mechanical methods, such as Hartree–Fock or density functional theory, to evaluate polarizability from first principles.

Polarizability also plays a role in the design of optical materials, including lenses, waveguides, and photonic crystals, where control over light propagation depends on the material’s response to electric fields. In biological contexts, the polarizability of biomolecules affects their interactions with electromagnetic radiation, influencing techniques like NMR and X‑ray crystallography.