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    Atomic and Molecular Physics

    Molecular physics is the study of physical properties of molecules. Atomic physics studies atoms in an isolated system of electrons and the atomic nucleus. Both of these fields of physics are concerned with electronic structures and the dynamic processes by which the arrangements change. These fields are subsets of the study of quantum mechanics.

    Molecular physics takes a quantum chemistry approach in order to solve complex problems. It takes the atomic orbital theory and applies it to the molecular orbital theory. Molecular physics looks at the atomic processes that occur in molecules and the effects on the molecular structure. Molecular physics also looks at excited molecules, the quantized vibrations and the discrete energy levels. It is important in various types of spectroscopy experiments. Molecular physics research overlaps with theoretical chemistry, physical chemistry and chemical physics.

    Atomic physics primarily looks at the arrangement of electrons around the nucleus and how these electron arrangements change. It also looks at ions and neutral atoms arrangements. Although atomic physics is often associated with nuclear physics, these fields of study are different. Nuclear physic is the field which studies atomic nuclei alone. Atomic physics is a larger branch of molecular and optical physics.

    Since the invention of the computer, atomic and molecular physics has advanced at a rapid pace. Computational analysis allows for larger and more sophisticated models to be studied. Computers have also advanced the technologies of accelerators, detectors, lasers and magnetic field generators to assist in experimental work.

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    BrainMass Categories within Atomic and Molecular Physics

    Atoms & Molecules

    Solutions: 97

    Atoms and molecules are the basic building blocks of all matter.

    Optics

    Solutions: 123

    Optics is a field of physics in which light behaviors and properties are studied.

    Chemical Physics

    Solutions: 20

    Chemical physics is a field of chemistry and physics in which physicochemical phenomena is studied.

    BrainMass Solutions Available for Instant Download

    Hydrogen atom - radial wave function normalization

    R(r)=Nr^l e^(-Zr/na) ∑_(j=0)^(n-l-1)▒〖b_j r_j 〗 Finding the normalization constant: Rodriguez formula for associated Laguerre formula is: (e^x x^(-k))/n! d^n/(dx^n ) (〖e 〗^(-x) x^(n+k) )=(e^x x^(-k-n))/n! x^n d^n/(dx^n ) (〖e 〗^(-x) x^(n+k) ) R(r)=∫_0^∞▒(Nr^l e^(-Zr/na) (e^x x^(-k-n))/n! x^n d^n/(dx^

    Finding exoplanet mass & distance from radial velocity data

    Observations TABLE 1: 51 Pegasi Radial Velocity Data Day v (m/s) Day v (m/s) Day v (m/s) Day v (m/s) 0.6 -20.2 4.7 -27.5 7.8 -31.7 10.7 56.9 0.7 -8.1 4.8 -22.7 8.6 -44.1 10.8 51 0.8 5.6 5.6 45.3 8.7 -37.1 11.7 -2.5 1.6 56.4 5.7 47.6 8.8 -35.3 11.8 -4.6 1.7 66.8 5.8 56.2 9.6 25.1 12.6 -38.5 3.6 -35.1 6.6 65.3 9.7 35.7 12

    Commutation Relations of the Angular Momentum Operators

    Consider a particle described by the Cartesian coordinates (x,y,z) = X and their conjugate momenta (px, py, pz) = p. The classical definition of the orbital angular momentum of such a particle about the origin is L = X x p. Let us assume that the operators (Lx, Ly, Lz) = L which represent the components of orbital angular mom

    The Concept of Nearest Neighbours

    I'm having trouble understanding the concept of "nearest neighbours" and "next nearest neighbours." I understand that the number of nearest neighbours is the number of atoms per unit cell, but that's all I know (and I'm not sure why). I'd like someone to show me how to calculate the number of nearest, second nearest, third

    X-Ray diffraction and lattice constant

    a) Consider a crystal structure like that of NaCl, but unlike NaCl in this crystal all atoms are of the same type. Assume that x-rays of = 1[nm] are incident at =30° to the surface of the crystal. What is the lattice constant (distance between neighboring atoms) of the cubic crystal? b) Consider a hypothetical "surf

    Tunneling

    A Hydrogen atom and a Helium atom each with 4 eV of KE approach a thin barrier 6 MeV high which has the greater probability of tunneling through the barrier? Explain.

    Linear Momentum and Collisions

    A neon atom (m = 20 u) makes a perfectly elastic collision with another atom. After the impact, the neon atom travels away at a 54.4° angle from its original direction and the unknown atom travels away at a 50.0° angle. What is the mass of the unknown atom?

    Matter Wave Question

    When the spectrum of once-ionized helium, He+, was first observed, it was interpreted as a newly discovered part of the hydrogen spectrum. The following two questions illustrate this confusion: (a) Show that alternate lines in the Balmer series of He+ - that is, those lines given by the Rydberg formula with the lower level n' =