Electric polarizability

{
  "id": "MLC-T-CHM-003636",
  "term": "Electric polarizability",
  "field": "Chemistry",
  "definition": "A tensor quantity relating the dipole moment induced in an atom or molecule to the applied electric field, so a larger polarizability means the electron cloud distorts more easily. Its SI unit is coulomb square-meter per volt, and it is often quoted as the polarizability volume, the polarizability divided by 4 pi times the vacuum permittivity, in cubic angstroms. The polarizability volume of a helium atom, for instance, is about 0.2 cubic angstrom.",
  "subject": "Physical and Biophysical Chemistry",
  "see_also": [
    "electric dipole moment",
    "electric field"
  ],
  "references": [
    "Green Book, 2nd ed., p. 22 (https://goldbook.iupac.org/files/pdf/green_book_2ed.pdf)"
  ],
  "url": "https://mlchart.com/terminology/chemistry/electric-polarizability/"
}