By Valerie Ng Qi Xuan (25S06N)
“By convention hot, by convention cold, by convention colour; but in reality atoms and void.
Democritus
Each one of us is made out of 7 octillion atoms—that’s 7 followed by 27 zeros—and so it is no wonder that atoms and people are, quite literally, one and the same.
On Personalities
The most fundamental icon of Chemistry is the Periodic Table. Each square represents an element, and each element represents the distinct personality of atoms of its like. Each atom has a distinct number of protons, neutrons, and electrons, and it is these unique numbers that determine how the atom interacts with other atoms—the atom’s personality, if you will.
Each personality is nicely compartmentalised within its own box on the Periodic Table, and at face value, seems like their own simple, individual selves; soon, we realise that each one of these elements is more than meets the eye.
On Chemical Reactions
“Wasn’t friendship its own miracle? The finding of a person who made the world less lonely.”
Hanya Yanagihara, A Little Life
In order for a chemical reaction between 2 particles to take place, a few conditions have to be fulfilled. The particles have to:
- Collide with each other (the means by which they meet a person)
- Possess sufficient kinetic energy in order to overcome the activation energy barrier of the reaction (work up the courage to start their first conversation)
- Collide in the correct orientation (interests might have to align in order for that first conversation, and subsequently, the bonding to take place)
If these 3 fundamental conditions are not met, it is highly unlikely that a chemical reaction will take place between the 2 particles (this is quite inconsequential to the atom, though; it just goes on its merry way, looking for another atom to collide with, in hopes of forming a chemical bond), unless, of course, actions are taken to increase the chances of a chemical bond being formed between the particles.
Increasing the frequency of effective collisions between particles would mean that the particles—quite literally—bump into each other more often, creating more opportunities for them to interact.
It’s much like how strangers find a common topic over which they can share a meaningful conversation (maybe it will be about the weather, or maybe it will be about how difficult it’s been for them to find an electron donor/recipient), and the rest is history.
Adding a catalyst to kickstart the reaction when particles lack the kinetic energy to overcome the activation energy barrier themselves is likened to having mutuals between acquaintances. Having a friend that both “atoms” are familiar with, all coexisting within the same space, gives a less daunting environment for interactions and increases the chances of friendly conversation.
On Bonding
Now that effective collisions have taken place, bonds between atoms can be formed. At the very heart of Chemistry, it always goes back to the bonds.
There are different types of relationships in both science and socials, though, and in Chemistry, these can be categorised into two main groups: ionic bonds and covalent bonds.
“He hates olives, she loves them. And in a weird way, that’s what makes them such a great couple. Perfect balance.”
The Olive Theory, How I Met Your Mother
Ionic bonds would align with the saying “opposites attract”, in the sense that they are formed between oppositely-charged ions. One atom “gifts” an electron to the other atom, which “receives” it; it’s almost like they complete one another.
The beauty of the ionic bond is that both atoms (now ions) end up with a complete octet (a full set of electrons in their outermost electron shell), which is what they each sought for in the first place. Patterns of bonding suggest that the complete octet is the “ideal” situation for an atom—the “perfect life”.
“Thank you for engaging in the mortifying ordeal of being known so that I may partake in the euphoric experience of knowing you.”
@nedsseveredhead on tumblr
For covalent bonds, on the other hand, I like to think of them as atoms bonding over what they share, rather than what is so electronically different about them. Shared interests, shared experiences, shared opinions… The list goes on.
These electrons that the atoms share will always be in the centre of them both—“whatever I told you is yours to keep”—and it is these electrons that keep the attraction between the atoms steady. These covalent bonds are considerably more complex than ionic bonds, as there is much more to consider when there are things to be shared, rather than given or taken.
Another basic principle of covalent bonding is that the higher the number of pairs of electrons shared between the two atoms, the stronger the covalent bond is At some point, though, the repulsion between both their nuclei becomes too great—atoms like their privacy too—and the molecule falls apart.
Likewise, the longer the time I spend with someone, the greater number of experiences we would have endured and celebrated together, and hence, I suppose, if the Chemistry suggests so, the closer we would be (this seems to hold true based on both Chemistry and real-life evidence).
“PYLADES : I’ll take care of you.
ORESTES: It’s rotten work.
PYLADES: Not to me. Not if it’s you.“Anne Carson, Euripides
Now, let’s move on to an even more complex form of covalent bonding. A dative (or coordinate) covalent bond is formed when both electrons in the shared pair are contributed by only one atom.
Though this might seem unfair, such a relationship benefits both the giver and receiver. After all, one of the basic principles of bond forming is that it has to work in favour of both atoms involved.
All that matters to the both of them is that they are together, and even if that means one of them has to put in more effort, they are determined to make it work—and they let that be enough. These bonds are just as strong as other covalent bonds.
“Odd little lives we all live. At least we are doing it together.”
@serolinie on TikTok
Then, there exists the possibility of the octet of an atom being expanded or not fully filled after bonding. This phenomenon might seem strange: isn’t a fully filled octet of 8 the ideal situation? What’s going to become of the molecule if there are a non-8 number of electrons in its octet?
Well, I suppose this could be boiled down to the differing definitions of success. Maybe the atoms don’t need a fully filled valence shell to be happy; maybe all they need is each other.
Note: 127 years ago today, the electron—the very basis of chemical bonding—was discovered. Happy Electron Day, everyone!
On Self-Discovery
“I am young and learning how to live.”
@sanegreen on tumblr
I think Chemistry serves as a parallel to the experience of growing up and finding yourself. Take the topic of Atomic Structure, for example. In secondary school, we were taught that the orbitals of an atom were perfectly round, and electronic configurations were as simple as 2.8.8.2. (Given that the ‘O’ Level syllabus was only interested in elements up to Calcium, that was, by far, the worst it got).
As time passed, we realised that the atom isn’t as simple as we thought; its orbitals take on different shapes and different axes, and electronic configurations become the demon that is 1s22s22p63s23p64s2. (This is the electronic configuration of Calcium, just for old times’ sake).
Nothing is simple anymore, and we (quite literally) just keep finding out new and more complicated things about the atom. But we take it in our stride anyway—we don’t seem to have a choice—and somehow, some way, it finally makes sense.
And then there are the harder questions: Why is the 4s subshell of an atom filled before the 3d subshell is filled; and why is this not the case when the atom expands its octet during covalent bonding?
As with life, sometimes there are questions that currently still don’t have an answer. In truth, there may be no answer, but maybe that is the beauty of it all. Maybe the atom is not one to be “solved” or “figured out”. Maybe the best we can do is to guess, and bask in the everlasting uncertainty that keeps us but an abstract concept in the grand scheme of things.
“It is a favourable process to bring an electron from infinity to where it feels the attractive force of the nucleus in an atom.” – Hodder Education Cambridge AS Level Chemistry, (ie. exactly where it needs to be). It must necessarily be that everything falls into place if the chemistry tells us so.
