Contraction of a dielectric in an electric-field
gradient.
Notes:
- For example, the contraction taking place around the charged centres created as a consequence of the sudden formation of separated positive and negative charges in the process of electron transfer.
- The thermodynamic description of electrostriction was given by Drude and Nernst in 1894 to explain the phenomenon of contraction of a continuum medium, such as an alkane, around charges suddenly produced in that medium.
Source:
PAC, 2007, 79, 293
(Glossary of terms used in photochemistry, 3rd edition (IUPAC Recommendations 2006))
on page 331
Cite as:
IUPAC. Compendium of Chemical Terminology, 2nd ed. (the "Gold Book"). Compiled by A. D. McNaught and A. Wilkinson. Blackwell Scientific Publications, Oxford (1997). XML on-line corrected version: http://goldbook.iupac.org (2006-) created by M. Nic, J. Jirat, B. Kosata; updates compiled by A. Jenkins. ISBN 0-9678550-9-8.
doi:10.1351/goldbook.
