The molecular structure of a substance is described by the combination of nuclei and electrons that comprise its constitute molecules. This includes the molecular geometry (essentially the arrangement, in space, of the equilibrium positions of the constituent atoms—in reality, these are in a state of constant vibration, at temperatures above absolute zero), the electronic properties of the bonds, and further molecular properties.
The determination of molecular structure uses a multitude of experimental methods, that include X-ray diffraction, electron diffraction, many kinds of optical spectroscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance, electron spin resonance, and mass spectrometry. The prediction and explanation of molecular structure uses quantum theory of valency and methods of molecular modeling.
The term "molecular structure" extends to multi-molecular complexes.
Famous quotes containing the word structure:
“I’m a Sunday School teacher, and I’ve always known that the structure of law is founded on the Christian ethic that you shall love the Lord your God and your neighbor as yourself—a very high and perfect standard. We all know the fallibility of man, and the contentions in society, as described by Reinhold Niebuhr and many others, don’t permit us to achieve perfection.”
—Jimmy Carter (James Earl Carter, Jr.)