cohesive energy

noun

The difference between the average energy of the free atoms and that of the atoms of a solid (especially a crystal).

Meanings

nouncohesive energy (countable and uncountable, plural cohesive energies)

plural cohesive energies

  1. countableuncountablenatural sciencesThe difference between the average energy of the free atoms and that of the atoms of a solid (especially a crystal).
    1 more example

    The cohesive energy is a measure of the strength of the forces that bind atoms together in the solid state and is descriptive in studying the phase stability. The cohesive energy[…]is defined as the total energy of the constituent atoms minus the total energy of the compound[…]The computed cohesive energies are 6.101 eV/atom, 4.774 eV/atom and 6.512 eV/atom for BaRh₂, BaPd₂ and BaPt₂, respectively.

    2012, A. Yakoubi, O. Baraka, B. Bouhafs, “Structural and electronic properties of the Laves phase based on rare earth type BaM2 (M = Rh, Pd, Pt)”, in Results in Physics, volume 2, →DOI, pages 58-65
  2. countablephysicaluncountablechemistryStandard enthalpy of formation of the constituent atoms from a solid phase.
Cite this entry
APA

cohesive energy. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 5, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/cohesive%20energy

MLA

“cohesive energy.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/cohesive%20energy. Accessed November 5, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “cohesive energy,” accessed November 5, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/cohesive%20energy.

Source: cohesive energy on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.