Pauling and the Chemical bond

Linus Pauling
1901-1994

In this podcast, Mark and Jack discuss the great American chemist, Linus Pauling. With an emphasis on his life and work, listeners will catch a glimpse as to what it takes to be a successful scientist, as well as gain an understanding concerning one of the fundamental "big ideas" in chemistry -- chemical bonding. Spanning seven decades, Pauling's prolific career had impacts both scientifically and socially. Learn why Linus Pauling has the historical distinction of being the only person to ever win two unshared Nobel Prizes: one for chemistry and one for peace.

Podcast length: 38:42

Show Notes:

Selected Awards and Publications associated with Linus Pauling:

Pauling's two unshared Nobel Prizes
The Nature of the Chemical Bond (1939)
Cancer and Vitamin C (1993)
How to Live Longer and Feel Better (1987)

  • The Nobel Prize in Chemistry 1954 was awarded to Linus Carl Pauling "for his research into the nature of the chemical bond and its application to the elucidation of the structure of complex substances."

The Nobel Prize in Chemistry 1954. NobelPrize.org. Nobel Media AB 2020. Wed. 22 Jul 2020. <https://www.nobelprize.org/prizes/chemistry/1954/summary/>

  • The Nobel Prize in Peace 1962 was awarded to Linus Pauling for work associated with the opposition to weapons of mass destruction.

The Nobel Peace Prize 1962. NobelPrize.org. Nobel Media AB 2020. Tue. 21 Jul 2020. <https://www.nobelprize.org/prizes/peace/1962/summary/>

Discussed in the episode:

  • The structure of DNA

The Double Helix by James Watson (1968)
Watson and Crick and DNA Model
Pauling's alpha helix protein structure

  • Sodium chloride (ionic substance with ionic bonding between ions) -- NaCl

Properties:

  • Solid @ room temperature

  • Soluble in water

  • Melting Point = 1074 K

  • Magnesium chloride (ionic substance with ionic bonding between ions) -- MgCl2

Properties:

  • Solid @ room temperature

  • Soluble in water

  • Melting Point = 987 K

  • Water (molecular substance with covalent bonding between atoms in the molecule and hydrogen bonding between the molecules) -- H2O

Properties:

  • Liquid @ room temperature

  • Melting Point = 273 K

  • Boiling Point = 373 K

  • Diamond (macromolecular, with covalent bonding between atoms) -- C

Properties:

  • Solid @ room temperature

  • Not soluble in water

  • Melting Point = 4300 K

Pauling's electronegativity values on the Periodic Table: