Picture a simple molecule as two balls attached together by a compressible spring. If an incoming atom strikes one end of the molecule, the spring compresses and the vibrating molecule jumps backwards. Or does it?
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
References
Althorpe, S. C. et al. Nature 416, 67–70 (2002).
Juanes-Marcos, J. C., Althorpe, S. C. & Wrede, E. Science 309, 1227–1230 (2005).
Dai, D. X. et al. Science 300, 1730–1734 (2003).
Aoiz, F. J., Bañares, L. & Herrero, V. J. Int. Rev. Phys. Chem. 24, 119–190 (2005).
Greaves, S. G. et al. Nature 454, 88–91 (2008).
Levine, R. D. Molecular Reaction Dynamics (Cambridge Univ. Press, 2005).
Pomerantz, A. E. et al. J. Chem. Phys. 121, 6587–6590 (2004).
Townsend, D. et al. Science 306, 1158–1161 (2004).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Brouard, M. When molecules don't rebound. Nature 454, 43–45 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1038/454043a
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/454043a
- Springer Nature Limited