Quantum Mechanics of Molecular Structures from edX

Knowing the geometrical structure of the molecules around us is one of the most important and fundamental issues in the field of chemistry. This course introduces the two primary methods used to determine the geometrical structure of molecules: molecular spectroscopy and gas electron diffraction.

In molecular spectroscopy, molecules are irradiated with light or electric waves to reveal rich information, including:

Motions of electrons within a molecule (Week 1),
Vibrational motions of the nuclei within a molecule (Week 2), and
Rotational motions of a molecule (Week 3).

In the gas electron diffraction method, molecules are irradiated with an accelerated electron beam. As the beam is scattered by the nuclei within the molecule, the scattered waves interfere with each other to generate a diffraction pattern. In week 4, we study the fundamental mechanism of electron scattering and how the resulting diffraction images reveal the geometrical structure of molecules.

By the end of the course, you will be able to understand molecular vibration plays an important role in determining the geometrical structure of molecules and gain a fuller understanding of molecular structure from the information obtained by the two methodologies.

FAQ

Do I need to buy a textbook?

No, you can learn the contents without any textbooks. However, if you hope to learn more on the subjects treated in this course, you are recommended to read the textbook introduced below:

Kaoru Yamanouchi, “Quantum Mechanics of Molecular Structures,” Springer-Verlag, 2012.

What's inside

Learning objectives

Two major methods to determine the geometrical structure of molecules in the gas phase: molecular spectroscopy and gas electron diffraction
How to quantize various motions of molecules, extract the quantized energy levels, and determine the geometrical structure of molecules from the spectrum

The fundamental mechanism of electron scattering on the basis of quantum mechanics and how to determine the geometrical structure of molecules from gas electron diffraction images

Two major methods to determine the geometrical structure of molecules in the gas phase: molecular spectroscopy and gas electron diffraction
How to quantize various motions of molecules, extract the quantized energy levels, and determine the geometrical structure of molecules from the spectrum
The fundamental mechanism of electron scattering on the basis of quantum mechanics and how to determine the geometrical structure of molecules from gas electron diffraction images

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Explores spectroscopy and gas electron diffraction, which are industry-standard tools in chemistry

Teaches how to quantify molecular motions to extract energy levels and deduce molecular structure from spectra

Develops understanding of electron scattering mechanisms and how to use diffraction patterns to determine molecular structure

Taught by Kaoru Yamanouchi, a leading expert in molecular structure determination

Textbook available to supplement learning

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Quantum Mechanics of Molecular Structures with these activities:

Review quantum mechanics

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Strengthen your understanding of quantum mechanics, which underlies the principles of molecular spectroscopy.

Browse courses on Quantum Mechanics

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Review the basics of quantum mechanics, such as wave-particle duality and energy quantization.
Focus on topics relevant to molecular spectroscopy, such as atomic and molecular orbitals.
Solve practice problems to reinforce your understanding.

Review spectroscopic principles

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Understand the fundamentals of molecular spectroscopy to lay a strong foundation for the course.

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Begin by reviewing basic principles of spectroscopy, such as the interaction of light with matter.
Explore different types of molecular spectroscopy, such as UV-Vis, IR, and NMR.
Familiarize yourself with the instrumentation and techniques used in molecular spectroscopy.

Read 'Fundamentals of Molecular Spectroscopy'

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Gain a deeper understanding of molecular spectroscopy by reading a comprehensive textbook.

View Melania on Amazon

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Read each chapter thoroughly, taking notes and highlighting important concepts.
Solve the practice problems provided in the book to test your understanding.

Five other activities

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Discuss spectroscopic data with peers

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Collaborate with peers to share knowledge and insights on spectroscopic data analysis.

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Form study groups with classmates.
Share and discuss molecular spectra, interpretations, and structural deductions.
Provide feedback and support to each other.

Analyze molecular spectra

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Develop proficiency in analyzing molecular spectra to determine molecular structures.

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Obtain molecular spectra from various sources, such as online databases or textbooks.
Identify and interpret the different peaks and bands present in the spectra.
Use the information obtained from the spectra to deduce the molecular structure.

Create a presentation on a specific spectroscopic technique

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Enhance your understanding by teaching a spectroscopic technique to others.

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Choose a specific spectroscopic technique, such as IR or NMR.
Research and gather information about the technique.
Create a presentation that explains the principles, instrumentation, and applications of the technique.
Present your findings to your classmates or a wider audience.

Determine the structure of an unknown molecule

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Apply the concepts of molecular spectroscopy and gas electron diffraction to solve a real-world problem.

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Acquire an unknown molecule and collect its molecular spectra using appropriate techniques.
Analyze the spectra to identify possible molecular structures.
Perform gas electron diffraction experiments to obtain structural information.
Combine the results from both techniques to determine the most probable molecular structure.

Participate in a molecular spectroscopy competition

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Challenge yourself and showcase your skills in a competitive setting.

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Research and identify molecular spectroscopy competitions.
Prepare for the competition by practicing and honing your skills.
Participate in the competition and demonstrate your abilities.

Career center

Learners who complete Quantum Mechanics of Molecular Structures will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Chemical Engineer

Chemical Engineers design, build, and operate plants and processes that create and transform chemicals, fuels, foods, pharmaceuticals, and other products. They use molecular spectroscopy and gas electron diffraction to determine the geometrical structure of molecules, which helps them understand how the molecules will behave during chemical reactions. This course would provide a foundation in these techniques, helping you succeed as a Chemical Engineer.

See salaries and explore the career path for Chemical Engineer

Materials Scientist

Materials Scientists develop new materials with improved properties, such as strength, durability, and conductivity. They use molecular spectroscopy and gas electron diffraction to determine the geometrical structure of molecules, which helps them understand how the molecules will interact with each other and with other materials. This course would provide a foundation in these techniques, helping you succeed as a Materials Scientist.

See salaries and explore the career path for Materials Scientist

Biochemist

Biochemists study the chemical processes that occur in living organisms. They use molecular spectroscopy and gas electron diffraction to determine the geometrical structure of molecules, which helps them understand how the molecules interact with each other and with other molecules in the body. This course would provide a foundation in these techniques, helping you succeed as a Biochemist.

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Analytical Chemist

Analytical Chemists develop and use methods to analyze the chemical composition of materials. They use molecular spectroscopy and gas electron diffraction to determine the geometrical structure of molecules, which helps them understand the properties of the materials. This course would provide a foundation in these techniques, helping you succeed as an Analytical Chemist.

See salaries and explore the career path for Analytical Chemist

Physical Chemist

Physical Chemists study the physical properties of matter and the changes that occur when matter undergoes chemical reactions. They use molecular spectroscopy and gas electron diffraction to determine the geometrical structure of molecules, which helps them understand the properties of the molecules and how they interact with each other. This course would provide a foundation in these techniques, helping you succeed as a Physical Chemist.

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Pharmaceutical Chemist

Pharmaceutical Chemists develop and test new drugs. They use molecular spectroscopy and gas electron diffraction to determine the geometrical structure of molecules, which helps them understand how the drugs will interact with the body. This course would provide a foundation in these techniques, helping you succeed as a Pharmaceutical Chemist.

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Environmental Chemist

Environmental Chemists study the chemical composition of the environment and the effects of pollutants on the environment. They use molecular spectroscopy and gas electron diffraction to determine the geometrical structure of molecules, which helps them understand the properties of pollutants and how they interact with the environment. This course would provide a foundation in these techniques, helping you succeed as an Environmental Chemist.

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Geochemist

Geochemists study the chemical composition of the Earth and the processes that have shaped the Earth's history. They use molecular spectroscopy and gas electron diffraction to determine the geometrical structure of molecules, which helps them understand the properties of minerals and how they interact with each other. This course would provide a foundation in these techniques, helping you succeed as a Geochemist.

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Surface Chemist

Surface Chemists study the chemical processes that occur on the surfaces of materials. They use molecular spectroscopy and gas electron diffraction to determine the geometrical structure of molecules, which helps them understand how molecules interact with surfaces and how to modify surfaces to improve their properties. This course would provide a foundation in these techniques, helping you succeed as a Surface Chemist.

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Materials Engineer

Materials Engineers develop and test new materials for use in a variety of applications. They use molecular spectroscopy and gas electron diffraction to determine the geometrical structure of molecules, which helps them understand the properties of the materials and how they will perform in different applications. This course would provide a foundation in these techniques, helping you succeed as a Materials Engineer.

See salaries and explore the career path for Materials Engineer

Spectroscopist

Spectroscopists use spectroscopy to study the structure and properties of molecules. They use molecular spectroscopy to determine the geometrical structure of molecules, which helps them understand the properties of the molecules and how they interact with each other. This course would provide a foundation in these techniques, helping you succeed as a Spectroscopist.

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Science Teacher

Science Teachers teach science to students at all levels, from elementary school to college. They use molecular spectroscopy and gas electron diffraction to explain the structure and properties of molecules to their students. This course would provide a foundation in these techniques, helping you succeed as a Science Teacher.

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Lab Technician

Lab Technicians conduct experiments and collect data in a laboratory setting. They use molecular spectroscopy and gas electron diffraction to collect data on the structure and properties of molecules. This course would provide a foundation in these techniques, helping you succeed as a Lab Technician.

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Scientific Researcher

Scientific Researchers conduct research to advance our understanding of the world around us. They use molecular spectroscopy and gas electron diffraction to study the structure and properties of molecules. This course would provide a foundation in these techniques, helping you succeed as a Scientific Researcher.

See salaries and explore the career path for Scientific Researcher

Quality Control Chemist

Quality Control Chemists ensure that products meet quality standards. They use molecular spectroscopy and gas electron diffraction to analyze the chemical composition of products and ensure that they meet specifications. This course would provide a foundation in these techniques, helping you succeed as a Quality Control Chemist.

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