Introduction to Mathematical Physics/N body problem and matter description/Molecules

A molecule, } is an arrangement of some atoms \index{molecule}(from two to some hundreds). Properties of molecules can be described by quantum mechanics (see section secmolecmq). The knowledge of the geometry of a molecule is sometimes enough to understand its properties. Figure figc60fig represents fullerene molecule C60 at the origin of chemistry Nobel prize 1996 of Profs Curl, Kroto, et Smalley.



Existence of such a molecule had been predicted by the study of the adsorption spectrum of some distant stars. Curl, Kroto, et Smalley succeeded in constructing it on the earth. C60 molecule is compound by 12 pentagons and 20 hexagons. It is the smallest spherical structure that can be construct using polygons\index{fullerene}. Polymers (see ([#References|references])) are another example of large molecules.