Questions tagged [relativistic]

Atomic and chemical properties related to the relativistic properties of electrons in heavy elements.

In some late-row elements, core electrons move with a significant fraction of the speed of light, causing relativistic effects. This includes properties of:

  • Gold
  • Mercury
  • Lead
  • Lanthanides (e.g., the "lanthanide contraction")
  • etc.

The properties of these elements are often anomalies compared to other periodic trends.

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Relativistic contraction of orbitals

I am confused about what seems to me two very different explanations for the relativistic contraction of orbitals for heavy elements. My teacher told me that since 1s electrons in heavy elements travel very fast their momenta is much larger than…
Peter
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1 answer

Is it possible to hold and rotate molecules to relativistic speeds around axis in observable way?

Also, is it possible to see frame-shortening effects on electrostatic forces/van der waals at the edges, or are molecules too weak or necessarily neutral to be manipulated this way?
JKB
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