Alexander Rich: Now, when Linus started out in the, in the mid-20s he immediately got into the application
of quantum mechanics to understanding the nature of the chemical bond. And within
a phenomenal ten year period he essentially developed a theory, applied it, and brought
out his, a book in the late '30s on the nature of the chemical bond. That revolutionized
chemistry because what it did was put into people's thinking the importance of chemical
structure. He understood how you can use quantum mechanical principles to derive bond
angles and distances and the way electrons appear together to make chemical bonds
and that, that really established Linus' reputation. I recall a quotation from Einstein,
who knew Linus all through this period, and after talking with Pauling about chemical
bonding he was, he remarked that perhaps he better go and study the subject...a little
more before talking with him again.
Clip
Creator: Alexander Rich Associated: Linus Pauling, Albert Einstein Clip ID: 1996v.3-bond
Full Work
Creator: National Public Radio Associated: Linus Pauling, Ava Helen Pauling, Alexander Rich, Ira Flatow, Thomas Hager
