Spectroscopy, quantum chemistry and molecular physics

APR 01, 1968

Where does the boundary between physics and chemistry lie? The development of molecular‐structure models shows how ideas have passed freely between the two disciplines, with electromagnetic spectroscopy acting as the background continuum.

DOI: 10.1063/1.3034921

Robert S. Mulliken

CERTAIN AREAS OF RESEARCH that used to be actively pursued by people called physicists in physics laboratories have now to a large extent, although not entirely, migrated to chemistry laboratories. Among the most prominent of the areas that have moved from physics toward chemistry are molecular spectroscopy, the theory of molecular structure and spectra and certain related areas, for example molecular mass spectroscopy. All these various areas are usually called “molecular physics” if carried on in physics departments or “chemical physics” if in chemistry departments.

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References

1. R. S. Mulliken, Science 157, No. 3784, page 13 (1967). (Nobel Prize lecture, 1966.)https://doi.org/SCIEAS
2. N. F. Ramsey, Nuclear Moments, Wiley, New York (1953);
C. H. Townes, A. L. Schawlow, Microwave Spectroscopy, McGraw‐Hill, New York (1955);
N. F. Ramsey, Molecular Beams, Oxford (1956).
3. P. D. Foote, F. Mohler, The Origin of Spectra, Chemical Catalog Company, New York (1922).
4. F. J. Moore, A History of Chemistry, McGraw‐Hill, New York (1918).
5. P. A. M. Dirac, Proc. Roy. Soc. 123A, 714 (1929).

More about the authors

Robert S. Mulliken, Florida State University and the University of Chicago.