An Introduction to the Electronic Structure of Atoms and Molecules

Dr. Richard F.W. Bader
Professor of Chemistry / McMaster University / Hamilton, Ontario

Preface

1. The Nature of the Problem

2. The New Physics

• Introduction

• A Contrast of the Old and New Physics

º Energy

º Position

º Degeneracy

• Probability Amplitudes

• Further Reading

• Problems

3. The Hydrogen Atom

4. Many-Electron Atoms

5. Electronic Basis for the Properties of the Elements

6. The Chemical Bond

7. Ionic and Covalent Binding

8. Molecular Orbitals

Table of Contour Values

A Contrast of the Old and New Physics

Consider an electron of mass m = 9 ´ 10^-28 g which is confined to move on a line L cm in length. L is set equal to the approximate diameter of an atom, 1 ´ 10^-8cm = 1Å. Consider as well a system composed of a mass of 1 g confined to move on a line, say 1 metre in length. We shall apply quantum mechanics to the first of these systems and classical mechanics to the second.