Abstract
Molecules consist of atoms, held together by chemical bonds. A chemical bond depends upon electrons being shared in such a way that the (negatively charged) electron density is located between the (positively charged) atomic nuclei thus providing electrostatic attraction (a chemical bond). Electrons in atoms or molecules are not to be regarded as points, but distributed into waveforms known as orbitals. Orbitals have their characteristic size, energy and shape in space. Each orbital can hold two electrons, which must have opposite directions of their spin. Orbitals centred on one atomic nucleus are known as atomic or non-bonding orbitals, while those connecting two (or more) nuclei are molecular orbitals.
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References
Further reading
Barber, J. (1987) Photochemical reaction centres: a common link. Trends Biochem. Sci. 12, 321–326.
Hader, D-P. and Tevini, M. (1987) Excited states and their relaxation and Photochemical reactions and energy transfer. General Photobiology Pergamon, Oxford, Ch. 5 and 6.
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Parson, W.W. (1987) see Chapter 4.
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© 1989 Blackie and Son Ltd
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Gregory, R.P.F. (1989). Primary Photophysics. In: Photosynthesis. Tertiary Level Biology. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-0391-3_3
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-0391-3_3
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