Exploring Quantum Chemistry | What Is "Picotechnology"?
Finding Genius Podcast
Richard Jacobs
4.4 • 1K Ratings
🗓️ 22 March 2023
⏱️ 44 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
What does electron density look like at the subatomic level? How do chemists and physicists manage to study matter at this level? In this episode, we discuss these topics and more with returning guest Dr. Preston J. MacDougall, a Professor of Chemistry at Middle Tennessee State University.
Dr. MacDougall's research surrounds theoretical chemistry – with a distinct focus on the development of quantum chemistry-based design tools for pharmacology and molecular electronics. How could his research influence the work of physicians and microbiologists around the world? Tune in now to find out…
Join the conversation to uncover:
- What the subatomic level of molecules looks like.
- What happens when two molecules form a bond.
- How Dr. MacDougall's work can help researchers understand why molecules prefer to react in certain directions.
Want to learn more about Dr. MacDougall and his work? Click here now!
Episode also available on Apple Podcasts: http://apple.co/30PvU9C
Transcript
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| 0:00.0 | if you just look at the density of the cloud, |
| 0:02.4 | which is probability density of finding electron. |
| 0:05.2 | And you're right, you don't see the electron, |
| 0:06.7 | you see the probability of finding electron there. |
| 0:09.1 | But what we've known for 40 years now, |
| 0:11.9 | is that if you look at the Laplacia, |
| 0:14.2 | which is just the second derivative |
| 0:16.4 | in three dimensions of this target cloud, |
| 0:18.9 | you just imagine a line going through the cloud |
| 0:21.7 | and the three orthogonal directions, x, y, and z |
| 0:24.0 | directions if you like. |
| 0:25.0 | And along each of those directions, |
| 0:26.6 | then the cloud density has a curvature. |
| 0:28.7 | It's just the second derivative in that direction. |
| 0:31.2 | Those are just numbers, positive or negative. |
| 0:34.0 | Forget frequently asked questions. |
| 0:35.8 | Common sense, common knowledge, or Google. |
| 0:38.4 | How about advice from a real genius? |
| 0:40.5 | 95% of people in any profession |
| 0:42.9 | are good enough to be qualified in license. |
| 0:44.8 | 5%? |
| 0:45.7 | Go above and beyond. |
... |
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