Chemical Thinking - Unit 2: How do we determine structure?

These flashcards cover key concepts and terms related to the structure of molecules as discussed in the lecture.

Molecular structure

The arrangement of atoms within a molecule including connectivity and the spatial arrangement of atoms.

Electromagnetic radiation

A form of energy that travels through space and can interact with matter, characterized by wavelength, frequency, and energy.

Spectroscopy

A set of analytical techniques used to measure the interaction of light with matter to derive structural information.

Light-matter interactions

Interactions between light (electromagnetic radiation) and matter, which can result in absorption or emission of energy.

Valence shell electron pair repulsion (VSEPR) theory

A model used to predict the geometry of molecules based on the repulsion between the pairs of valence electrons surrounding an atom.

Quantization

The concept that energy is transferred in discrete packets (photons) and only in integer multiples of the fundamental energy unit.

Lewis structure

A diagram that represents the valence electrons of atoms within a molecule to show how they bond and the arrangement of electrons.

Covalent bond

A chemical bond formed when two atoms share pairs of electrons.

Electronegativity

A measure of an atom's ability to attract and hold onto electrons in a bond.

Dipole moment

A measure of the separation of positive and negative charges in a molecule; a vector quantity indicating polarity.

Resonance structures

Different Lewis structures for a single molecule that cannot be represented by one single structure alone, indicating delocalized electrons.

Functional groups

Specific groups of atoms within molecules that are responsible for the characteristic reactions of those molecules.

Ionization energy

The energy required to remove an electron from a gaseous atom or ion.

Absorption Spectrum

A spectrum showing the wavelengths of light absorbed by a substance, used to identify the substance's structure.

Vibrational motions

Movements of atoms in a molecule that change the distance between them, which can interact with electromagnetic radiation.