A dance of two atoms reveals chemical bonds forming and breaking

Two rhenium atoms approach and retreat from one another in an electron microscope video

atoms forming chemical bond illustration

Scientists spied on two atoms forming chemical bonds and breaking them by studying molecules made of two rhenium atoms (illustrated in green) inside a carbon nanotube (gray).

University of Nottingham

Scientists have now captured video of the intimate dance of two atoms as they bond with one another, break apart and come back together again.