Organic Chemistry I Lecture 3  - Double Minima, Earnshaw's Theorem and Plum-Puddings
Channel: Hooch Forehead
Date: 31/08/2018

Overview

Continuing the discussion of Lewis structures and chemical forces from the previous lecture, Professor McBride introduces the double-well potential of the ozone molecule and its structural equilibrium. The inability for inverse-square force laws to account for stable arrangements of charged particles is prescribed by Earnshaw’s Theorem, which may be visualized by means of lines of force. J.J. Thomson circumvented Earnshaw’s prohibition on structure by postulating a “plum-pudding” atom. When Rutherford showed that the nucleus was a point, Thomson had to conclude that Coulomb’s law was invalid at small distances.



    Distinguishing Equilibrium and Resonance 00:00
    The Structure and Surface Potential of Ozone 06:38
    Visualizing Electrostatic Force: Earnshaw’s Theorem 20:58
    J. J. Thomson’s Plum Pudding Model 35:08