Question

Consider a molecular wire. How would you expect its electrical conductivity to behave? Does an electron in a conjugated linear molecule behave like a "particle in a box"? Plot what you would expect in terms of its I−V behavior.

Answer 1

The electrical conductivity of a molecular wire depends on its structure, including the presence of conjugated pi bonds. Electrons in conjugated linear molecules can behave like "particles in a box" due to quantum mechanics. The I-V behavior of a molecular wire is influenced by its properties and the applied voltage.

Step-by-step explanation:

In the case of a molecular wire, its electrical conductivity would depend on its molecular structure, specifically the presence of conjugated pi bonds along the wire. Conjugated pi bonds create a pathway for delocalized electrons, allowing them to move more freely and contribute to electrical conductivity.

An electron in a conjugated linear molecule can indeed behave like a "particle in a box" to some extent. This concept is derived from quantum mechanics and describes how electrons are constrained within the molecular framework, resulting in quantized energy levels and wave-like behavior.

In terms of the I-V behavior (current-voltage relationship), it would depend on the specific properties of the molecular wire, such as its length, structure, and the applied voltage. Generally, as the voltage is increased, the current would also increase, but the relationship may not be linear due to the complex nature of electron transport in molecular wires.