How did Hodgkin determine molecular structures?
The method relies on X-ray crystallography. When X-rays are directed at a crystal of a substance, they diffract, creating a pattern of spots. This pattern is unique to the arrangement of atoms within the crystal. By carefully measuring the positions and intensities of these diffraction spots, and then applying mathematical techniques such as Fourier transforms, one can reconstruct the electron density map of the molecule. From this map, the positions of individual atoms can be deduced. It's a painstaking process, requiring immense patience and a deep understanding of crystallography and the behavior of X-rays. The evidence points towards the atomic positions from the diffraction data.
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