Abstract
IN a recent paper by one of us (N. H. M.1), a detailed discussion of the electron distributions and potential fields for molecules of high symmetry was given on the basis of the Thomas–Fermi theory. In this work the nuclei of the outer atoms were smeared out over the surface of a sphere and the electrons then regarded as moving in the resulting spherically symmetrical field. A general discussion of the energy was also given, and the existence of a minimum in the energy curves was demonstrated. However, the theoretical bond-lengths were in poor agreement with the experimental values, and it was suggested that this might be due to the neglect of exchange.
Similar content being viewed by others
Article PDF
References
March, N. H., Proc. Camb. Phil. Soc., 48, 665 (1952).
Scott, J. M. C., Phil. Mag., 43, 859 (1952).
Bowers, W. A., J. Chem. Phys., 21, 1117 (1953).
Heath, D. F., Linnett, J. W., and Wheatley, P. J., Trans. Farad. Soc., 46, 137 (1950).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
BALLINGER, R., MARCH, N. Bond-Lengths and Force Constants for Methane, Silane and Germane. Nature 174, 179 (1954). https://doi.org/10.1038/174179a0
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/174179a0
This article is cited by
-
Application of a simple electrostatic model to the calculation of the angular force constants of highly symmetrical molecules
Journal of Applied Spectroscopy (1971)
Comments
By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.