Phase properties of real field states: The Garrison-Wong versus Pegg-Barnett predictions

The definition of electric field lines greatly eases the visualization of electric fields, a vector field, especially in the presence of many charges. The one-to-one correspondence between the electric field and the electric field lines necessitates that the field lines follow some rules.
For one, the electric field of a positive charge must originate from it. That is because its electric field points away from it. Moreover, since the magnitude of the field asymptotes to zero at infinity, the...

The free energy change for a process taking place with reactants and products present under nonstandard conditions (pressures other than 1 bar; concentrations other than 1 M) is related to the standard free energy change according to this equation:

The molecular orbital theory describes the distribution of electrons in molecules in a manner similar to the distribution of electrons in atomic orbitals. The region of space in which a valence electron in a molecule is likely to be found is called a molecular orbital. Mathematically, the linear combination of atomic orbitals (LCAO) generates molecular orbitals. Combinations of in-phase atomic orbital wave functions result in regions with a high probability of electron density, while...

A neutral atom consists of a positively charged nucleus surrounded by a negatively charged electron cloud. When placed in an external electric field, the external electric force pulls the electrons and nucleus apart, opposite to the intrinsic attraction between the nucleus and the electrons. The opposing forces balance each other with a slight shift between the center of masses of the nucleus and the electron cloud, resulting in a polarized atom. On the other hand, a few molecules, like water,...