Quantum Chemistry 10.2 - Born-Oppenheimer Approximation

Short lecture on the Born-Oppenheimer approximation for atoms and molecules. Nuclei weigh much more than electrons, and thus move much more slowly. The Born-Oppenheimer approximation says that the nuclei are fixed in their positions with zero kinetic energy while solving for electronic wavefunctions. The electrons provide a potential energy surface which the nuclei feel as they move. Notes Slide: http://i.imgur.com/KeKmcKc.png -- About TMP Chem -- All TMP Chem content is free for everyone, everywhere, and created independently by Trent Parker. Email: [email protected] -- Video Links -- Chapter Playlist:    • Diatomic Molecules   Course Playlist:    • Quantum Chemistry and Spectroscopy   Course Review:    • Quantum Chemistry Chapter Reviews   Other Courses:    • PChem Course Intros   Channel Info:    • About TMP Chem   -- Social Links -- Facebook:   / tmpchem   Twitter:   / tmpchem   LinkedIn:   / tmpchem   Imgur: https://tmpchem.imgur.com GitHub: https://www.github.com/tmpchem -- Equipment -- Microphone: Blue Yeti USB Microphone Drawing Tablet: Wacom Intuos Pen and Touch Small Drawing Program: Autodesk Sketchbook Express Screen Capture: Corel Visual Studio Pro X8