molecular physics

academic discipline

Available identifiers

study of the physical properties of molecules and chemical reactions

Shown here is the thermal motion of a segment of protein alpha helix. Molecules have various internal vibrational and rotational degrees of freedom. This is because molecules are complex objects; they are a population of atoms that can move about within a molecule in different ways. This makes molecules distinct from the noble gases such as helium and argon, which are monatomic (consisting of individual atoms). Heat energy is stored in molecules’ internal motions which gives them an internal temperature. Even though these motions are called “internal,” the external portions of molecules still move—rather like the jiggling of a water balloon.

Significant overlaps with physical chemistry, chemical physics, and quantum chemistry.

molecular dynamics simulation
molecular reaction dynamics
molecular spectroscopy (transient)
molecular spectroscopy
molecular spectrosopy (stationary)
molecular rotation
molecular vibration

physics

Item	Property
physical chemistry	specialized by

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