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semiempirical

semiempirical

1 9.2
Partly based on theory and partly on experiments
  • adjective
  • /ˌsɛmiɪmˈpɪrɪkəl/
  • Specialized
: semiempírico
  • The semiempirical model provided a reasonable estimate of the system's behavior based on both calculations and real-world results.
  • semiempirical method
  • semiempirical MO

Examples

  • Figure 4. Fluctuations in Earth's upper atmosphere at 500 km over Boulder, Colorado, at noon, as estimated by a semiempirical model.

    Academic text (2006)
  • Some semiempirical MO methods, such as AM1 and PM3, are fast but provide semi-qualitative results (i.e., conclusions derived from these methods are usually acceptable, with some exceptions).

    Academic text (2001)
  • Using an extended semiempirical modeling approach, we show that these sea-level changes are

    Blog text (25)
  • Semiempirical expressions for h have been derived for convection under a variety of situations.

    Academic text (1999)
  • If MP2 or DFT is the target level, HF or eventually semiempirical MO methods are good choices of low level.

    Academic text (2001)
  • These methods are usually combination-specific; i.e., a specific MO method (primarily semiempirical) and a specific MM method are combined, and additional parameters are often introduced for better agreement with experiment.

    Academic text (2001)
  • Researchers often use semiempirical methods to combine theoretical calculations with experimental data.

  • In computational chemistry, semiempirical approaches can predict molecular behavior effectively by balancing theory and observation.

How Empirical

experimental
212 4.7
empirical
  • Formal
68 5.9
semiempirical
  • Specialized
1 9.2
theoretical
111 6.3

Surface Forms

semiempirical positive

Morphology

semiempirical = empirical (transparent) = semi + empir + ical

Adding semi- to empirical straightforwardly yields the meaning 'partly empirical'.

Etymology

Semiempirical combines semi- ('half', as in semicircle) and empirical ('based on experience' or 'observation'). So semiempirical means an approach that is partly theory and partly from real observation, which is why scientists use semiempirical methods to mix models with experimental data.