At first sight, both, Bošković and Morse curves are different because Bošković
provides more than one minimum, i.e. more stable equilibrium distances between
atoms. In should be mentioned that the foresight of Bošković was confirmed by
modern investigations that have shown the reality of more stable minima between
atoms, [4] the chemical bond, the distance that appears in crystals under specific
conditions, and the very well-known van der Waals distance (Johannes Diderik
van der Waals, 1837–1923) between the atoms that are not connected by chemical
bond.
Bondlength
of HCl
ΔE
(Bond energy)
r HCl
Morse curve that
represents the
dependence of potential
energy (E p ) on the distance
between atoms of chlorine
and hydrogen in the
molecule HCl (r HCl )
d(N …N )/ Å
0
1
2
3
N N
O
R
O
R
N
N
O
R
O
R
N
N
O
R
O
R
E p
1.3 Å
2.3Å
3.4Å
Covalent
bond
Quasi-covalent
bond
van der Waals
bond
Different equilibrium distances (minima on the potential energy curve) of nitrogen
atoms in molecule. The analogy with the Bošković’ ideas [4].
5 Occult Enlightenment
51