Experimental determination of molecular radii using a microwave attenuation method

Abstract

A new method to determine the radii of molecules, based on the relationship between the microwave attenuation and the viscosity of the liquid medium through which the microwave passes, has been developed. Viscosity, a characteristic constant of the liquid medium, indicates the frictional forces between the molecules in the medium and is related to microwave attenuation, since the molecules will rotate owing to the microwave field. This relationship and its applications have been studied. Several equations which reveal this relationship were derived. Using these equations a new and simple way to determine the radii of dipolar molecules was found. The temperature effect was also studied.