Ronald Drayton Brown

17: Where are the Electrons? (1968)

Introduction

17: where are the electrons? (1968). From the 1968 Liversidge Lecture: "Where are the electrons?" Explores atomic theory, electron distribution, net atomic charges, and densities in atomic orbitals.

Abstract

Liversidge Lecture delivered before the Royal Society of New South Wales, July 17th, 1968. Reproduced by permission of the Royal Society of New South Wales from J. Proc. Roy. Soc. N.S.W., 1968-9, 102, 73-81."When chemists come to interpret their observations in terms of the atomic molecular theory of matter one of the first questions to be settled is: where are the electrons?""I propose to try to illustrate the current fight with ignorance and to do it at two levels. Firstly, I want to consider how much we know about the gross distribution of electrons when we merely try to assess the net charges that should be associated with each atom. Secondly, I want to consider to what extent we can distribute the atomic electron densities among the different atomic orbitals associated with each atomic nucleus."

Review

This paper, a reproduction of the Liversidge Lecture delivered in 1968, directly addresses a quintessential question in chemistry: "Where are the Electrons?". The title itself immediately signals a fundamental inquiry into the electronic structure of matter, a cornerstone for interpreting chemical observations within the atomic and molecular theory. Presented during a pivotal era for quantum chemistry, this lecture offers a snapshot of the challenges and conceptual frameworks prevalent when scientists grappled with electron distribution before the widespread advent of modern computational tools. The lecturer proposes to confront the "current fight with ignorance" through a two-tiered approach. Firstly, the presentation aims to assess the understanding of gross electron distribution, focusing on the assignment of net charges to individual atoms – a macro-level perspective on electron localization. Secondly, it intends to delve into the more intricate problem of allocating atomic electron densities among the specific atomic orbitals associated with each nucleus, moving towards a more granular, quantum-mechanical description. This dual strategy suggests a comprehensive, yet accessible, exploration of electron placement, balancing overall atomic properties with detailed orbital contributions as understood in the late 1960s. While rooted in the scientific landscape of 1968, this abstract highlights a work of significant historical and pedagogical value. It provides a unique lens into how chemists articulated and sought to answer foundational questions about electronic structure during a formative period. For contemporary researchers and educators, the reproduced lecture serves as an excellent resource to understand the conceptual underpinnings that paved the way for modern theories and computational methodologies. Its significance lies in its articulation of core challenges and the prevailing state of knowledge, offering a valuable perspective on the evolution of chemical thought and the enduring pursuit of understanding where, indeed, the electrons are.

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