Article: Chemistry and Energy

Chemistry and Energy


Energy is central to our understanding of chemistry, for atoms adopt arrangements that correspond to the lowest possible energy and electrons in atoms adopt the lowest possible energy distribution. The adoption of lowest energy arrangements of atoms is responsible for the characteristic shapes of molecules. For instance, the tetrahedral shape of the methane molecule (CH 4 ) corresponds to the lowest energy arrangement possible for one carbon atom and four hydrogen atoms. The characteristic bond lengths in a molecule are the distances between centers of atoms corresponding to the atoms' lowest energy arrangement. The distribution of electrons in molecules ...

Related newspaper, magazine, and journal articles:

 
 
Newsweek Harper's Magazine The Washington Post Chicago Tribune Crain's Chicago Business PRNewswire Pediatric News The Nation Advertising Age The Economist (US) A FREE trial gives you access to over 80 million articles! Access over 6,500 publications with a FREE trial!