When are atoms and molecules unpredictable in chemistry?

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the unpredictability of atomic and molecular behavior in chemical bonding, particularly within the carbon-hydrogen-oxygen (C-H-O) system. Silvershadow emphasizes that while equilibrium states can be predicted based on total composition and conditions (temperature, pressure, density), the behavior of individual atoms or molecules cannot be accurately forecasted. The concept of the "drunkard's walk" illustrates the inherent randomness in predicting the exact location of atoms or molecules in a given environment.

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  • Knowledge of molecular bonding and interactions
  • Basic grasp of statistical mechanics, particularly the "drunkard's walk" theory
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Silvershadow
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I'm playing with a theory I have at the moment and wondered if anyone could help with giving me some good examples of chemical/molecular bonding in which the partners' an atom will acquire are unpredictable.
For example if I had 1g of Hydrogen atoms, 8g of oxygen atoms and 3g of carbon would the end result be predictable. If not when are such examples 'unpredictable'?

Silvershadow
 
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"Predictable?" In principle, yes; in practice, for the C-H-O system (or other system), the data/information required for predicting equilibrium composition, free energies of formation for ALL possible products, is not available. Same thing for any other chemical system --- there is one equilibrium state for any specified overall/total composition and T,P,ρ.
 
I don't get it. This equilibrium state, is it always predictable that free molecules and atoms will act a certain way?

Silvershadow
 
Originally posted by Silvershadow
I don't get it. This equilibrium state, is it always predictable that free molecules and atoms will act a certain way?

Silvershadow

It's called "chemistry." If you mean, "Can the behavior of a specific, labelled atom be predicted?" the answer is no. The example would be predicting the location of an atom or molecule in a container --- see "the drunkard's walk."
 

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