integer

(noun)

An element of the infinite and numerable set {...,-3,-2,-1,0,1,2,3,...}.

Related Terms

Examples of integer in the following topics:

  • The Pauli Exclusion Principle

    • The Pauli exclusion principle governs the behavior of all fermions (particles with half-integer spin), while bosons (particles with integer spin) are not subject to it.
    • Half-integer spin means the intrinsic angular momentum value of fermions is $\hbar =\frac { h }{ 2\pi }$ (reduced Planck's constant) times a half-integer (1/2, 3/2, 5/2, etc.).
    • In contrast, particles with integer spin (bosons) have symmetric wave functions; unlike fermions, bosons may share the same quantum states.

  • Polyatomic Molecules

    • A compound's empirical formula is the simplest integer ratio of its constitutional chemical elements.
    • The empirical formula is often the same as the molecular formula, but not always; for example, the molecule acetylene has molecular formula C2H2, but the simplest integer ratio of elements is CH.

  • A Useful Mnemonic Rule

    • The total number of electrons undergoing reorganization is always even, and is either a 4n+2 or 4n number (where n is an integer).

  • Scientific Notation

    • The general representation for scientific notation is $a \times 10^b$(where "b" is an integer and "a" is any real number).
    • The number of times you move the decimal place becomes the integer "b."

  • High Resolution Spectra

    • Because the strong nuclear forces that bind the components of an atomic nucleus together vary, the actual mass of a given isotope deviates from its nominal integer by a small but characteristic amount (remember E = mc2).

  • Exact Numbers

    • Exact numbers have an infinite number of significant figures, but they often appear as integers.

  • Molecules

    • Often, a compound's composition can also be denoted by an empirical formula, which is the simplest integer ratio of its constituent chemical elements.

  • Hess's Law

    • Sometimes, you will need to multiply a given reaction intermediate through by an integer.
    • In such cases, you need always multiply your ΔH value by that same integer.

  • The Third Law of Thermodynamics and Absolute Energy

    • An example of a system which does not have a unique ground state is one containing half-integer spins, for which there are two degenerate ground states.

  • Emission Spectrum of the Hydrogen Atom

    • where R is the Rydberg constant (approximately 1.09737 x 107 m-1), $\lambda_{vac}$ is the wavelength of the light emitted in vacuum, Z is the atomic number, and n1 and n2 are integers representing the energy levels involved such that n1 < n2.