Term: inertial defect
https://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.I03028

Definition:
Difference of principal moments of inertia Δ = I C- I A- I B. For planar molecules it is close to zero and for non-planar molecules it is negative.

Related Terms:
1) moments of inertia (http://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.M04006).

Source: Green Book, 2nd ed., p. 23 (https://goldbook.iupac.org/files/pdf/green_book_2ed.pdf)

Citation: 'inertial defect' in IUPAC Compendium of Chemical Terminology, 5th ed. International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry; 2025. Online version 5.0.0, 2025. https://doi.org/10.1351/goldbook.I03028

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