femtochemistry
Quick Summary
Femtochemistry is a field of chemistry that studies chemical reactions occurring on extremely short timescales, specifically in the femtosecond range. A femtosecond is one quadrillionth of a second (10-15 seconds). This area of study requires specialized techniques, such as flash photolysis and laser spectroscopy, to observe and measure these incredibly rapid processes. By using these advanced methods, scientists can investigate the fundamental steps of chemical reactions, including the formation and breaking of chemical bonds, and the redistribution of energy within molecules.1234
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