News Physics

Scientists ‘strummed’ a molecule’s chemical bonds like guitar strings

The jiggling tip of an atomic force microscope served as the ‘pick’

chemical bonds within a molecule

An atomic force microscope “strummed” chemical bonds within a molecule (illustrated in gray). Hotter colors indicate more energy needed to keep up the strumming.

A.J. Weymouth/Giessibl group/University of Regensburg

By Emily Conover

- More than 2 years ago

Like plucking a tiny guitar string, scientists have “strummed” chemical bonds.

Plucking the bonds, which connect two carbon atoms separated by just 140 billionths of a millimeter, required a minuscule “pick.”