Chapter 3: Problem 85

Research the development of the scanning tunneling microscope, which can be used to make images of atoms. Find out what information about the structure of atoms these microscopes have provided.

Short Answer

Expert verified

Scanning Tunneling Microscope (STM) was invented by Gerd Binnig and Heinrich Rohrer at IBM in 1981. STMs enable scientists to visualize, manipulate, and study atoms by providing three-dimensional surface images at atomic resolution. Through this, they offer invaluable insights into atomic properties such as electron sharing, formation of covalent bonds, and structural characteristics of molecules.

Step by step solution

Understand the Scanning Tunneling Microscope

Start with researching about STM. Understand its working principle, which is based on quantum tunneling. The device allows a controlled tip to scan over the surface of a conducting sample. When the tip gets close to the surface, a tunneling current can flow, which is highly dependent on the distance between the tip and the surface.

Research the development of STM

Next step is to research around the development of STM. The STM was developed by Gerd Binnig and Heinrich Rohrer at IBM Zurich in 1981, for which they shared the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1986. Cherish upon the stages of developments and modifications done over the years.

Understand the information about atomic structure provided by STM

Lastly, learn about how STMs are providing information about atomic structures. The STM provides three-dimensional surface images at atomic resolution which successfully enabled scientists to visualize, manipulate, and study atoms in great detail. It helps understanding atomic level properties like electron sharing, covalent bonds, and molecular structures among others.

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Research the development of the scanning tunneling microscope, which can be used to make images of atoms. Find out what information about the structure of atoms these microscopes have provided.

Short Answer

Step by step solution

Understand the Scanning Tunneling Microscope

Research the development of STM

Understand the information about atomic structure provided by STM

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