Historical Bibliography Updated: June 17, 2026
The nature of the chemical bond and the structure of molecules and crystals: An introduction to modern structural chemistry.
Publication Details
Ithaca, NY: Cornell University Press, 1939 CE.
This book set forth in detail Pauling's valence-bond theory based on the quantum-mechanical concept of resonance between two energy states, which led to his highly innovative idea that the hybridization of orbitals (electron waves) between atoms is what makes molecular structure possible. Pauling’s work “taught a couple of generations of chemists that the sizes and electrical charges of atoms determine exactly [emphasis mine] their arrangement in molecules” (Judson, The Eighth Day of Creation, p. 57). For further information see the entry at HistoryofInformation.com at this link.
Browse Tags
Thematic Classifications
| Catalog Metadata | Reference Information |
|---|---|
| Entry Number | #6914 |
| Permanent Link | https://staging.historyofmedicine.com/entry/9079 |
| Author Bio Link | Wikipedia ↗ |
| External URL | the-nature-of-the-chemical-bond-and-the-structure-of-molecules-and-crystals-an-introduction-to-modern-structural-chemistry |
Geographic Context
Publication place: Ithaca, NY