chemistry

Millard H. Alexander

Millard H. Alexander is a chemistry topic covered in the lgStudy science library. This page brings together a partial reference excerpt, illustrations, worked examples, real-world applications and a short study plan, so you can understand Millard H. Alexander rather than just read about it. In short: Millard Henry Alexander (born February 17, 1943, Boston, Massachusetts) is an American theoretical chemist. He is Distinguished University Professor at the University of Maryland, with appointments in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry and the Institute for Physical Science and Technology.

Key takeaways

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Reference excerpt

Millard Henry Alexander (born February 17, 1943, Boston, Massachusetts) is an American theoretical chemist. He is Distinguished University Professor at the University of Maryland, with appointments in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry and the Institute for Physical Science and Technology. He is the author of over 300 publications and an active researcher in the fields of molecular collision dynamics and theoretical chemistry.

Research Alexander's research focus is the quantum-mechanical aspects of molecular collisions, in particular those involving open-shell species. More specifically, Alexander's work has focused on understanding chemical reactions where the Born–Oppenheimer approximation can be violated, by means of nonadiabatic coupling, spin–orbit interactions and conical intersections. Alexander's work is particularly important in understanding the F + H2 → FH + H and Cl + H2 → HCl + H reactions.

Organisational affiliations Alexander is a fellow of the American Physical Society and of the American Association for the Advancement of Science and a member of the International Academy of Quantum Molecular Science. In 2015 he received the Herschbach Medal for contributions to the theoretical study of the dynamics of molecular collisions. Since 2012 Alexander has served as the President of the Telluride Science Research Center.

Selected publications Kohguchi, H.; Susuki, T.; Alexander, M. H. (2001), "Fully state-resolved differential cross sections for the inelastic scattering of the open-shell NO molecule by Ar", Science, 294 (5543): 832–834, Bibcode:2001Sci...294..832K, doi:10.1126/science.1063774, PMID 11679664, S2CID 40596186. Capecchi, G.; Werner, H.-J.; Alexander, M. H. (2002), "Theoretical study of the validity of the Born–Oppenheimer approximation in the Cl + H2 → HCl + H reaction", Science, 296 (5568): 715–718, Bibcode:2002Sci...296..715A, doi:10.1126/science.1070472, PMID 11976448, S2CID 35026826. Che, L.; Ren, Z. F.; Wang, X. G.; Dong, W. R.; et al. (2007), "Breakdown of the Born–Oppenheimer approximation in the F + oD2 → DF + D reaction", Science, 317 (5841): 1061–1064, Bibcode:2007Sci...317.1061C, doi:10.1126/science.1144984, PMID 17717180, S2CID 25111747. Garrand, E.; Zhou, J.; Manolopoulos, D. E.; Alexander, M. H.; Neumark, D. M. (2008), "Nonadiabatic interactions in the Cl + H2 reaction probed by ClH2− and ClD2− photoelectron imaging", Science, 319 (5859): 72–75, Bibcode:2008Sci...319...72G, doi:10.1126/science.1150602, PMID 18174436, S2CID 29821414. Wang, X. G.; Dong, W. R.; Xiao, C. L.; Che, L.; et al. (2008), "The extent of non-Born–Oppenheimer coupling in the reaction of Cl(2P) with para-H2", Science, 317 (5901): 573–576, Bibcode:2008Sci...322..573W, doi:10.1126/science.1163195, PMID 18948537, S2CID 206515156. Alexander, M. H. (2011), "Chemical Kinetics Under Test (An Invited 'Perspective')", Science, 331 (6016): 411–412, doi:10.1126/science.1201509, PMID 21273477, S2CID 206531714. Casavecchia, P.; Alexander, M. H. (2013), "Uncloaking the Quantum Nature of Inelastic Molecular Collisions (An Invited 'Perspective')", Science, 341 (6150): 1076–1077, doi:10.1126/science.1244109, PMID 24009384, S2CID 206551617 Kim, J. B.; Wechman, M. L.; Sjolander, T. F.; et al. (2015), "Spectroscopic observation of resonances in the F + H2 reaction", Science, 349 (6247): 510–513, Bibcode:2015Sci...349..510K, doi:10.1126/science.aac6939, PMID 26228142

References

External links Millard Alexander's home page at the University of Maryland Hibridon program suite for inelastic scattering, photodissociation, and weakly-bound clusters

Worked examples

Example 1 — a first encounter with Millard H. Alexander

Start with the simplest possible case. Write down what Millard H. Alexander claims or describes in one sentence, then invent the smallest concrete situation in which that sentence is true. In chemistry, the smallest case is usually a single object, a single equation or a single measurement. Check that every symbol or term in your sentence has a meaning in that case.

Example 2 — changing one variable

Take the situation from Example 1 and change exactly one quantity: double it, halve it, or set it to zero. Predict what should happen to Millard H. Alexander before you calculate. Comparing your prediction with the result is the fastest way to find out whether you understand the idea or only the words.

Example 3 — an exam-style question

Typical questions about Millard H. Alexander ask you to (a) state it precisely, (b) apply it to given data, and (c) explain a limitation. Practise writing all three answers in under five minutes; the third part is what separates a full-mark answer from an average one.

Applications of Millard H. Alexander

In research: Millard H. Alexander appears in chemistry research whenever the underlying quantities have to be modelled precisely. Papers usually cite it as a starting assumption and then explore where it breaks down.
In technology and industry: Engineering practice reuses Millard H. Alexander in design rules, simulations and safety margins. Knowing the idea lets you read a specification sheet and understand why the numbers look the way they do.
In the classroom: Millard H. Alexander is common in secondary-school and first-year university syllabi. It links to neighbouring topics 1943 births, 21st-century American chemists, American theoretical chemists, so understanding it makes those chapters shorter.
In everyday life: Look for Millard H. Alexander outside the textbook — in sport, cooking, traffic, electronics or the sky above you. An example you found yourself is remembered far longer than one you were given.

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How to study Millard H. Alexander in 20 minutes

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Frequently asked questions

What is Millard H. Alexander in simple terms?

Why does Millard H. Alexander matter?

Because it connects several chemistry ideas at once: it gives you a definition you can apply, a quantity you can calculate, and a way to check whether a result is plausible.

How should I study Millard H. Alexander?

Read the excerpt, restate it from memory, then work through the examples and applications listed on this page. The five-step study plan above takes about twenty minutes.

What does this page cover?

It gives you a compact reference excerpt plus original lgStudy explanations, examples, applications and study material on Millard H. Alexander.