Chemisorption: Process of using chemical bonds to tether molecules to
a surface.
Chromophore: The region of a molecule that absorbs light and undergoes an electronic transition.
Classical physics: A system of physical laws (Newton’s laws, Maxwell’s
equations, etc.) developed before the twentieth century, in which
the values for physical properties of a system are continuous
functions and simultaneously measurable. While superseded by
newer theories, classical physics is still useful for characterizing
macroscopic systems and as an approximation for some
nanoscale systems.
Clausius–Mossotti equation: A mathematical relation between the
polarizability of individual molecules and the refractive index of a
material.
Closed system: A system that exchanges energy but not matter with its
surroundings.
Collision frequency: The rate at which molecules in a reaction collide with
each other and are available to react, but do not necessarily react.
Column chromatography: Method of purifying and separating one
chemical compound from another.
Complex refractive index: A frequency-dependent complex function
that describes the interaction of light and matter, where the real
component (refractive index) represents refraction/changes in
the speed of light through the material and the imaginary component (extinction index) represents absorption.
Conduction band: In band theory, the lowest energy band with empty
states, analogous to the LUMO in a molecular system.
Conjugation: Alternating single and double bonds in linear carbon
chains. All carbon atoms in the chain are sp
2 hybridized and the
electrons in the π-bonds are delocalized along the entire carbon
chain. See also π-bonding.
Constructive interference: A phenomenon in which light waves
combine to produce a more intense wave or brighter light area
than the individual waves. This type of interference occurs when
the waves are in-phase.
438
Glossary
a surface.
Chromophore: The region of a molecule that absorbs light and undergoes an electronic transition.
Classical physics: A system of physical laws (Newton’s laws, Maxwell’s
equations, etc.) developed before the twentieth century, in which
the values for physical properties of a system are continuous
functions and simultaneously measurable. While superseded by
newer theories, classical physics is still useful for characterizing
macroscopic systems and as an approximation for some
nanoscale systems.
Clausius–Mossotti equation: A mathematical relation between the
polarizability of individual molecules and the refractive index of a
material.
Closed system: A system that exchanges energy but not matter with its
surroundings.
Collision frequency: The rate at which molecules in a reaction collide with
each other and are available to react, but do not necessarily react.
Column chromatography: Method of purifying and separating one
chemical compound from another.
Complex refractive index: A frequency-dependent complex function
that describes the interaction of light and matter, where the real
component (refractive index) represents refraction/changes in
the speed of light through the material and the imaginary component (extinction index) represents absorption.
Conduction band: In band theory, the lowest energy band with empty
states, analogous to the LUMO in a molecular system.
Conjugation: Alternating single and double bonds in linear carbon
chains. All carbon atoms in the chain are sp
2 hybridized and the
electrons in the π-bonds are delocalized along the entire carbon
chain. See also π-bonding.
Constructive interference: A phenomenon in which light waves
combine to produce a more intense wave or brighter light area
than the individual waves. This type of interference occurs when
the waves are in-phase.
438
Glossary