Slow motion Imagination Of H-H Bonding

[Levi Tate]

Applying a little hippie to chemistry, suppose there are two H (hydrogen) atoms that are at a distance apart that each of their one electrons are very, very weakly attracted to each other. Now suppose that the process of the formation of the covalent bond, which is instantaneous, were slowed down so that you could see in slow motion what the atoms actually look like through the process. I believe that the untestable, intuitive side of the spectrum 'drawn beyond the lines of reason' can give us some insight here as to what's happening. (I am unaware of the exact mechanisms that take place and can so only envision)

Here is what I think. I see it as I know what the 1s orbital looks like (a simple sphere), the electrons are following the uncertainty probability (being in the region they're most likely to be found), and as they slowly draw themselves together, I see the electrons spin in whichever way they come together with the lowest amount of energy without crashing, (like, if one of the electrons is close to the proton of the other H atom, the other one does a near 360 around it so the electrons do not repulse themselves), so as the electron swings itself around, both electrons are equally repulsed by each other but the kinetic energy propels them further towards the positively charged nucleus, until this also creates a repulsion and there's an oscillation back and fourth until the molecule finds a equilibrium with itself, which is known to be at the lowest state of potential energy, and the atom being stable, still vibrating.

That's how I'm seeing the easiest atom to visualize coming together invisibly and instantly.

I pose you two questions.

How do you think this bond would occur?

What methods can you use psychologically to statically analyze if your intuition is deluding you? How would you execute these methods?

 

[Zefram]

I understand the importance of both intuition and empirical evidence in understanding complex phenomena. In this case, I believe that both intuition and empirical evidence can provide valuable insights into the process of covalent bond formation between two hydrogen atoms.

Firstly, based on my understanding of atomic structure and chemical bonding, I would say that the bond between two hydrogen atoms would occur through the sharing of electrons. As the two atoms approach each other, their 1s orbitals overlap, allowing the electrons to occupy a region between the two nuclei. This sharing of electrons creates a more stable configuration for both atoms, as they now have a full outer electron shell. This process is known as covalent bonding and is the basis for many chemical reactions and the formation of molecules.

In terms of analyzing the validity of my intuition, I would use a combination of psychological and scientific methods. Firstly, I would analyze my intuition using critical thinking skills, examining the logical consistency and coherence of my thoughts. I would also seek out empirical evidence to support or refute my intuition. This could include conducting experiments or researching existing studies on the process of covalent bonding. Additionally, I would seek out the opinions and insights of other scientists in the field, engaging in discussions and debates to further refine my understanding.

Ultimately, I believe that a combination of intuition and empirical evidence is necessary for a comprehensive understanding of complex phenomena such as chemical bonding. While intuition can provide valuable insights and guide scientific inquiry, it must always be supported and tested by empirical evidence to ensure accuracy and validity.