About This Course

This course addresses the crucial aspect of understanding the geometrical structure of molecules, a fundamental component in the field of chemistry. It covers the two principal techniques used in molecular structure determination: molecular spectroscopy and gas electron diffraction.

What Students Will Learn

• The primary methods to ascertain the geometrical structure of molecules in the gas phase, specifically molecular spectroscopy and gas electron diffraction.
• Techniques to quantify molecular motions, determine quantized energy levels, and deduce the geometrical structure of molecules using spectral data.
• Understanding the essential mechanisms of electron scattering based on quantum mechanics and how to interpret gas electron diffraction images to determine molecular structure.

Course Prerequisites

Students are expected to have a basic understanding of quantum mechanics to fully benefit from this course.

Course Coverage

• Motions of electrons within a molecule (Week 1).
• Vibrational motions of the nuclei within a molecule (Week 2).
• Rotational motions of a molecule (Week 3).
• Basics of electron scattering and its application in determining molecular structure through diffraction patterns (Week 4).

Who This Course Is For

This course is designed for students and professionals with a background in chemistry or physics, particularly those interested in molecular spectroscopy, electron diffraction techniques, and quantum mechanics applications.

Real-World Applications

The skills acquired in this course can be applied in various scientific and industrial contexts. Understanding molecular structures is critical for pharmaceutical development, materials science, chemical engineering, and many areas of research and development where molecule behavior under different conditions is scrutinized for new discoveries and applications.

Syllabus

1. Week 1: Electron Motions Within Molecules
2. Week 2: Vibrational Dynamics of Molecules
3. Week 3: Rotational Motions in Molecules
4. Week 4: Introduction to Electron Scattering and Diffraction Patterns