The electric properties of molecules

Abstract

This chapter discusses molecular interactions, which are responsible for the formation of condensed phases, and large molecular assemblies, which arise from the electric properties of molecules. It explores how the electronic structures of molecules account for these molecular interactions. It also points out that the nuclei of atoms exert control over the electrons in a molecule, which affects the distribution of the electrons and how it responds to external fields. The chapter examines why electric properties of molecules are responsible for many of the properties of bulk matter. It highlights the small imbalances of charge distributions in molecules and the ability of electron distributions to be distorted that allow molecules to interact with one another and respond to externally applied fields.