Structure and dynamics of diatomic molecular fluids

Abstract

Our basic knowledge about molecular fluids is in a much less satisfactory state than that for atomic fluids, and the historical development of these two topics is reviewed. Reasons for the slow development of our understanding of molecular fluids are discussed. The significance of several kinds of experimental data is considered, and the importance of improving the quality of measurable correlation functions is emphasised. It is concluded that a significant underdeveloped experimental field is that of high precision gas diffraction at low to moderate densities and various temperatures, and some preliminary results are given to illustrate this point.

The current status of work on fluid nitrogen and hydrogen chloride is reviewed, and it is concluded that the properties of nitrogen are better understood on the basis of recent models than those of HCl. In spite of the insoluble features of the molecular problem, a great improvement should be possible by the patient application of modern techniques.