Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

The de Broglie Wavelength02:32

The de Broglie Wavelength

30.2K
In the macroscopic world, objects that are large enough to be seen by the naked eye follow the rules of classical physics. A billiard ball moving on a table will behave like a particle; it will continue traveling in a straight line unless it collides with another ball, or it is acted on by some other force, such as friction. The ball has a well-defined position and velocity or well-defined momentum, p = mv, which is defined by mass m and velocity v at any given moment. This is the typical...
30.2K
The Uncertainty Principle04:08

The Uncertainty Principle

28.4K
Werner Heisenberg considered the limits of how accurately one can measure properties of an electron or other microscopic particles. He determined that there is a fundamental limit to how accurately one can measure both a particle’s position and its momentum simultaneously. The more accurate the measurement of the momentum of a particle is known, the less accurate the position at that time is known and vice versa. This is what is now called the Heisenberg uncertainty principle. He...
28.4K
Molecular Spectroscopy: Absorption and Emission01:14

Molecular Spectroscopy: Absorption and Emission

3.6K
Molecules possess discrete energy levels called quantum states. Unlike atoms, which have simpler energy levels, molecules possess additional rotational and vibrational energy levels.  Each energy level is separated by an energy gap, with the gaps between adjacent electronic, vibrational, and rotational levels varying significantly. The three types of energy levels in a diatomic molecule are shown in Figure 1.
3.6K
The Pauli Exclusion Principle03:06

The Pauli Exclusion Principle

54.8K
The arrangement of electrons in the orbitals of an atom is called its electron configuration. We describe an electron configuration with a symbol that contains three pieces of information:
54.8K

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Nonadiabatic dynamics in the photodissociation of <i>cis</i>-HONO(Ã<sup>1</sup>A″,220).

Physical chemistry chemical physics : PCCP·2026
Same author

Ultraviolet photodissociation dynamics of D2S+: The S+-loss channel near the D-loss dissociation threshold.

The Journal of chemical physics·2026
Same author

Characterization of T5DL·5DS-2RS, a wheat-rye chromosomal translocation with enhanced grain hardness and pre-harvest sprouting resistance.

TAG. Theoretical and applied genetics. Theoretische und angewandte Genetik·2026
Same author

H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub>-free proximity proteomics for exploring dynamic protein complexes in living systems.

Nature chemical biology·2026
Same author

Imaging the photodissociation dynamics of CO<sub>2</sub> in the low-energy region of the <sup>1</sup>Δ<sub>u</sub> ← X<sup>1</sup>Σ<sub>g</sub><sup>+</sup> absorption band.

Physical chemistry chemical physics : PCCP·2026
Same author

Observation of van der Waals resonances in low-energy F + H<sub>2</sub>(<i>v</i> = 0, <i>j</i> = 1) reaction.

National science review·2026
Same journal

Erratum for the Research Article "Detecting supramolecular organic nanoparticles during heat wave".

Science (New York, N.Y.)·2026
Same journal

Local signals, systemic decline.

Science (New York, N.Y.)·2026
Same journal

The mechanics of liver regeneration.

Science (New York, N.Y.)·2026
Same journal

Computing in a memory with physics.

Science (New York, N.Y.)·2026
Same journal

Retraction.

Science (New York, N.Y.)·2026
Same journal

Making time.

Science (New York, N.Y.)·2026
See all related articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Oct 13, 2025

Direct Imaging of Laser-driven Ultrafast Molecular Rotation
10:52

Direct Imaging of Laser-driven Ultrafast Molecular Rotation

Published on: February 4, 2017

9.8K

A molecular double-slit experiment.

Xingan Wang1,2, Xueming Yang3,4,5

  • 1Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China.

Science (New York, N.Y.)
|November 18, 2021
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Quantum effects, like light interference, are now seen in molecular collisions. This discovery opens new avenues for understanding quantum mechanics in complex molecular systems.

More Related Videos

Studying DNA Looping by Single-Molecule FRET
11:27

Studying DNA Looping by Single-Molecule FRET

Published on: June 28, 2014

15.6K
Novel Techniques for Observing Structural Dynamics of Photoresponsive Liquid Crystals
10:35

Novel Techniques for Observing Structural Dynamics of Photoresponsive Liquid Crystals

Published on: May 29, 2018

8.9K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Oct 13, 2025

Direct Imaging of Laser-driven Ultrafast Molecular Rotation
10:52

Direct Imaging of Laser-driven Ultrafast Molecular Rotation

Published on: February 4, 2017

9.8K
Studying DNA Looping by Single-Molecule FRET
11:27

Studying DNA Looping by Single-Molecule FRET

Published on: June 28, 2014

15.6K
Novel Techniques for Observing Structural Dynamics of Photoresponsive Liquid Crystals
10:35

Novel Techniques for Observing Structural Dynamics of Photoresponsive Liquid Crystals

Published on: May 29, 2018

8.9K

Area of Science:

  • Quantum mechanics
  • Molecular physics
  • Chemical physics

Background:

  • Molecular collisions are fundamental to chemical reactions and energy transfer.
  • Quantum phenomena, such as interference and superposition, are typically observed at the atomic and subatomic levels.
  • Understanding quantum effects in larger systems is a key challenge in modern physics.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the presence of quantum interference phenomena in molecular collisions.
  • To explore the applicability of quantum mechanical principles beyond atomic and subatomic particles.
  • To provide experimental evidence for wave-like behavior in molecular interactions.

Main Methods:

  • Utilizing advanced molecular beam techniques to control and direct colliding molecules.
  • Employing high-resolution spectroscopic methods to analyze collision outcomes.
  • Developing theoretical models to interpret the observed interference patterns.

Main Results:

  • Direct observation of interference patterns in the scattering of molecules, analogous to optical interference.
  • Quantification of the wave-like properties of molecules during collisions.
  • Demonstration that quantum effects persist in molecular-scale interactions.

Conclusions:

  • Molecular collisions exhibit quantum interference, challenging classical notions of particle interaction.
  • This finding expands the domain of observable quantum phenomena to molecular systems.
  • The study paves the way for new quantum technologies and a deeper understanding of molecular dynamics.