How Do You Spell ATOMIC PERCENT?

Pronunciation: [ɐtˈɒmɪk pəsˈɛnt] (IPA)

The spelling of the term "atomic percent" is straightforward when broken down phonetically. It is pronounced as /əˈtɒmɪk ˈpərsənt/, with the emphasis on the first syllable of "atomic" and the second syllable of "percent." The word "atomic" is pronounced with a short "a" sound and the "t" is followed by a separate syllable, "om," before the "i" and "c" sounds. Meanwhile, the word "percent" is pronounced with a short "e" sound and the emphasis on the second syllable, "cent." Overall, it is a fairly easy word to spell and pronounce if one is familiar with IPA phonetics.

ATOMIC PERCENT Meaning and Definition

1. Atomic percent is a measure used in chemistry and materials science to express the composition or concentration of elements in a mixture or compound. It refers to the percentage of atoms of a specific element in relation to the total number of atoms in the sample, expressed on a scale of 0 to 100.

   To calculate atomic percent, the number of atoms of a specific element is divided by the total number of atoms in the sample and then multiplied by 100. This value represents the atomic percent of the element in the mixture or compound. It provides insight into the relative abundance or contribution of a particular element within a sample.

   Atomic percent is particularly useful for characterizing alloys, which are mixtures of metallic elements. By determining the atomic percent of each constituent element, scientists and engineers can evaluate the properties and behavior of alloys and predict their performance in different applications.

   For example, if a sample contains 50 atoms of element A, 30 atoms of element B, and 20 atoms of element C, the atomic percent of element A would be 50%, of element B would be 30%, and of element C would be 20%.

   Overall, atomic percent quantifies the elemental composition of a substance, enabling researchers to gain insights into its structure, behavior, and properties. It is widely used in various fields, including material science, chemistry, and metallurgy.

Etymology of ATOMIC PERCENT

The term "atomic percent" is not derived from a specific etymology. Instead, it is a phrase that combines the words "atomic" and "percent" to describe a way of expressing the composition or proportion of elements in a substance.

The term "atomic" refers to atoms, which are the basic building blocks of matter. It is derived from the Latin word "atomus" and the Greek word "atomos", both meaning "indivisible".

On the other hand, "percent" is derived from the Latin phrase "per centum", which means "per hundred". It is a mathematical term used to express a fraction or proportion out of 100.

When combined, "atomic percent" is used in chemistry and materials science to indicate the relative concentration of elements or isotopes in a material, usually expressed as a percentage.