Chemical LaTeX Typesetting - Physicsforums Tutorial

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the use of LaTeX for typesetting chemical equations and formulas on Physics Forums. Participants explore various aspects of LaTeX syntax, share examples, and provide insights into its application for chemistry and related fields.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Mathematical reasoning
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants highlight the new LaTeX feature for typesetting complex formulas, noting its advantages over previous methods.
  • Several equations are presented, including the Henderson-Hasselbalch equation and the Michaelis-Menten equation, with variations in formatting discussed.
  • Ambitwistor mentions the unnecessary use of spacers in LaTeX, suggesting a more streamlined approach.
  • Participants experiment with different LaTeX commands and syntax, discussing issues with formatting and line breaks.
  • There are inquiries about using LaTeX outside of Physics Forums, with suggestions to use programs like MikTeX.
  • Some participants express frustration with specific LaTeX commands not producing the desired output, leading to discussions about alternatives.
  • Questions arise regarding specific symbols, such as the equilibrium sign and the symbol for reduction potentials, with various suggestions provided.
  • There is a mix of successful and unsuccessful attempts at typesetting, with participants sharing their experiences and corrections.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the utility of LaTeX for typesetting but express differing opinions on specific formatting choices and the effectiveness of certain commands. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the best practices for using LaTeX in various contexts.

Contextual Notes

Some limitations include uncertainty about the correct use of specific LaTeX commands and the potential for confusion with formatting. Participants also note that certain symbols may not be readily available in LaTeX.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be useful for students and professionals in chemistry, physics, and related fields who are interested in learning how to effectively use LaTeX for typesetting equations and formulas.

Monique
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Physicsforums now has a very cool feature, which enables complex typesetting for formulas or equations!

A tutorial is on the following page:
https://www.physicsforums.com/misc/howtolatex.pdf
The topic is also explained in the following thread:
https://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=8997


The feature is LaTeX and the following is possible::

^{33}_{17}Cl^{16}\xrightarrow{n,n}~^{31}_{15}P^{16}+~^4_2He^2

Not long ago we had to write::
33 (1) 31 4
17 Cl + 2(0)n -----> 15 P + 2 He

Causing much confusion as you can imagine
So play around with some formulas if you like, click on the LaTeX image to popup the code with which it was written.


To explain the basics:
_ is subscript
^ is superscript
{} are delimiters, to keep text together
~ is a space


So the code in the above formula is::
[ tex]^{33}_{17}Cl^{16}\xrightarrow{n,n}~^{31}_{15}P^{16}+~^4_2He^2[ /tex]
 
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Henderson-Hasselbalch equation:

pH=pK_a+log\frac{[A^-]}{[HA]}
 
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Michaelis-Menten equation

V=\frac{k_2[E]_t<s>}{K_M+<s>}</s></s>


or


6CO_2+6H_2O\xrightarrow{Light~Energy}C_6H_{12}O_6+CO_2~~~\Delta G^\circ=+2870kJ/mol


If I can do it, anyone can! :wink:
 
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Ambitwistor is not such a simple soul as me :wink:

I actually noticed that I am putting in too many spacers (~), those are not always necessary next to '+' or '\xrightarrow' or '='
 
Enthalpy of Vaporization
The amount of energy to change 1 g of liquid to gas at its boiling point. For water,

\Delta H_{vap} = 540~cal~g^{-1}
 
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OK, exams are over so I have no reason to not learn this stuff now... here I go.

Moniques version...
^{33}_{17}{Cl}^{16} \xrightarrow{n,n} ^{31}_{15}P^{16} +~^4_2He^2

Ambitwistors version...
<br /> \newcommand{\atom} [ 4 ] { ^{#1}_{#2} {#3}^{#4}}<br /> \atom {33}{17}{Cl}{16} \xrightarrow{n,n} \atom {31}{15}{P}{16}+\atom {4}{2}{He}{2}<br />
 
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{pH} = {pK_a} + \log\frac{[A^-]}{[HA]} \\<br /> <br /> V = \frac{k_2{[E]}+{<s>}}{K_m + {<s>}} \\<br /> <br /> <br /> 6CO_2 + 6H_2O \xrightarrow{Light Energy} C_6H_{12}O_6 + CO_2 \ \delta G^{\circ} = +2870kJ/mol<br /> <br /> <br /> </s></s>
Oh, ok, so \\ can only be used as part of an equation to start a new line. To do different equations, you have to use diferent tex flags i guess...?

And why didn't my C6H12) finish...


{pH} = {pK_a} + \log\frac{[A^-]}{[HA]}

V = \frac{k_2{[E]}_t{<s>}}{K_M + {<s>}}</s></s>


Now, will this come up as I want it to? 6CO_2 + 6H_2O \xrightarrow{Light Energy} C_6 H_{12} O_6 + CO_2 \delta G^{\circ} = +2870kJ/mol Let's find out...
 
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wow, capitals matter.

that should have been \Delta not \delta.

So

6CO_2 + 6H_2O \xrightarrow{Light Energy} C_6 H_{12} O_6 + CO_2 ~\Delta G^{\circ} = +2870kJ/mol
 
that \ thing never does what I want...6CO_2 + 6H_2O \xrightarrow{Light\Energy} C_6 H_{12} O_6 + CO_2 ~\Delta \ \ \ \G^{\circ} = +2870kJ/mol

Maybe I should use that comma? 6CO_2 + 6H_2O \xrightarrow{Light/,Energy} C_6 H_{12} O_6 + CO_2 ~\Delta /, /, /, G^{\circ} = +2870kJ/mol

6CO_2 + 6H_2O \xrightarrow{Light\,Energy} C_6 H_{12} O_6 + CO_2 ~\Delta \, \, \, G^{\circ} = +2870kJ/mol
I think i prefer the tilde (~) key...6CO_2 + 6H_2O \xrightarrow{Light~Energy} C_6 H_{12} O_6 + CO_2 ~\Delta~~~G^{\circ} = +2870kJ/mol
 
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  • #10
You are using itex, that stands for inline?

tex
^{33}_{17}{Cl}^{16} \xrightarrow{n,n} ^{31}_{15}P^{16} +~^4_2He^2

inline
\inline{^{33}_{17}{Cl}^{16} \xrightarrow{n,n} ^{31}_{15}P^{16} +~^4_2He^2}

itex
^{33}_{17}{Cl}^{16} \xrightarrow{n,n} ^{31}_{15}P^{16} +~^4_2He^2

Apparently :) that's cool!
 
  • #11
It would be nice if it did fit inline a little better though. At the moment it sits a little low and disrupts the line below, so it doesn't look quite as neat.
 
  • #12
I stand~corrected. I guess it depends on the physical size of the formula and stuff. It does a good job of fitting it where it can.
 
  • #13
Could you give some information about how to use this typeset in another place?
 
  • #14
If you mean how to use it outside of PF, you need to download a program such as miktex (www.miktex.org).
 
  • #15
Thanks for the link,Sirus.Maybe i'll get read of the old Scientific Workplace that I'm using now.
 
  • #16
For small applications, you can preview a post on PF with the required code in it, then copy and paste the latex into MS Word or another word processing application. This is discouraged, however, to avoid excess traffic on the PF server (copy/pasting Latex is not, after all, the purpose of PF).
 
  • #17
Trying it out,

H^+ _{(aq)} + OH^- _{(aq)} \xrightarrow~H_2 O _{(l)}
 
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  • #18
I should be studying,

1/p + 1/q = 1/f
 
  • #19
this is killing me

{\Delta G} = {\Delta G^_o} - RT\textit{lnQ}

from my current physics course
lens maker's equation
\frac{n_1}{p} + \frac{n_2}{q} = (n_1-1) \left[ \frac{1}{R_1} - \frac{1}{R_2} \right]

I'll just do my homework here
\int ( \textit{lnt} )^2 dt

u= ( \textit{lnt} )^2
du=2( \textit{lnt} )( \frac{1}{t} )
dv= dt
v= \int dt = t

\int ( \textit{lnt} )^2 dt = ( \textit{lnt} )^2t - \int 2t( \textit{lnt} )( \frac{1}{t} )
 
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  • #20
Anyone (ambitwistor ?) know the symbol for the equilibrium (upper half of right arrow above lower half of left arrow) sign ?
 
  • #21
just trying things out
\xrightarrow{\leftarrow}

I noticed Monique's first post where she had the n,n over the arrow and figured one could go on from there.

\xrightarrow{\xleftarrow}
 
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  • #22
Clever ! That'll have to do until I think it's important to hunt this down or someone comes up with a better answer.
 
  • #23
If you have already found this, forgive me, but the solution is \rightleftharpoons or \leftrightharpoons as in the following examples:

H_2O \rightleftharpoons H^+ + OH^-

H_2O \leftrightharpoons H^+ + OH^-
 
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  • #24
Thanks chem_tr ! :approve:
 
  • #25
Another God said:
that \ thing never does what I want...6CO_2 + 6H_2O \xrightarrow{Light\Energy} C_6 H_{12} O_6 + CO_2 ~\Delta \ \ \ \G^{\circ} = +2870kJ/mol

Maybe I should use that comma? 6CO_2 + 6H_2O \xrightarrow{Light/,Energy} C_6 H_{12} O_6 + CO_2 ~\Delta /, /, /, G^{\circ} = +2870kJ/mol

6CO_2 + 6H_2O \xrightarrow{Light\,Energy} C_6 H_{12} O_6 + CO_2 ~\Delta \, \, \, G^{\circ} = +2870kJ/mol
I think i prefer the tilde (~) key...6CO_2 + 6H_2O \xrightarrow{Light~Energy} C_6 H_{12} O_6 + CO_2 ~\Delta~~~G^{\circ} = +2870kJ/mol
lol guys, the photosynthesis equation everyone's using is incorrect ;)
 
  • #26
F = \frac {1}{4\pi\epsilon_0}\frac{Q_1Q_2}{r^2}
E_p = \frac {Q_1Q_2}{4\pi\epsilon_0(r_1+r_2)}

E_p = \frac {e^2}{4\pi\epsilon_0(2r_0)}

Q = EV \\

Q = eV \\

E_p = \frac {e}{4\pi\epsilon_0(2r_0)} electron volts<br />

E_k = \frac{3}{2}kT
\gamma \equiv \frac{1}{\sqrt{1 - v^2/c^2}}
 
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  • #27
Does anybody know the fancy "capital E" symbol denoting reduction potentials?

I mean, it doesn't seem to be in LaTex---or is it? Where can I get it?

Edit: Is it by any chance a lowercase "xi" ?
That is, a \xi ^\circ ??
 
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  • #28
are you referring to emf?
 
  • #29
Yes! What is the symbol for it? (the fancy capital E thing)!??

Is it on LaTex??
 
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  • #30
I've seen it here somewhere. You may want to somehow italicize the E within the latex.

just trying things out...

\varepsilon
 
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