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Chemical physicists commonly probe the structure and Dynamics of Ions , Free Radical s, Polymers , Clusters , and Molecule s. Areas of study include the Quantum Mechanical behavior of Chemical Reaction s, the process of Solvation , inter- and intra-molecular energy flow, and single entities such as Quantum Dots . Experimental chemical physicists use a variety of Spectroscopic techniques to better understand Hydrogen Bonding , Electron Transfer , the formation and dissolution of Chemical Bonds , chemical reactions, and the formation of Nanoparticle s. Theoretical chemical physicists create simulations of the molecular processes probed in these experiments to both explain results and guide future investigations. The goals of chemical physics research include understanding chemical structures and reactions at the quantum mechanical level, elucidating the structure and reactivity of Gas Phase ions and radicals, and discovering accurate approximations to make the physics of chemical phenomena computationally accessible. Chemical physicists are looking for answers to such questions as:

  • Can we experimentally test quantum mechanical predictions of the vibrations and rotations of simple molecules?

  • Can we develop more accurate methods for calculating the electronic structure and properties of molecules?

  • Can we understand chemical reactions from first principles?

  • Why do quantum dots start blinking (in a pattern suggesting Fractal Kinetics ) after absorbing Photon s of Light ?

  • How do chemical reactions really take place?

  • What is the step-by-step process that occurs when an isolated molecule becomes solvated?

  • Can we use the properties of negative ions to determine molecular structures, understand the dynamics of chemical reactions, or explain Photodissociation ?

  • Why does a stream of Soft X-ray s knock enough Electron s out of the Atom s in a Xenon cluster to cause the cluster to explode?



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