Equilibrium geometry

{
  "id": "MLC-T-CHM-004063",
  "term": "Equilibrium geometry",
  "field": "Chemistry",
  "definition": "The molecular geometry at a minimum of the potential energy surface, where the net force on every nucleus is zero and any small displacement raises the energy. It is a property of the surface with no thermal motion included, so it differs from experimental structures, which are vibrationally averaged. Quantum-chemical programs locate it by minimizing the energy with respect to the nuclear coordinates.",
  "subject": "Organic and Biomolecular Chemistry",
  "see_also": [
    "adiabatic"
  ],
  "references": [
    "PAC, 1999, 71, 1919. 'Glossary of terms used in theoretical organic chemistry' on page 1938 (https://doi.org/10.1351/pac199971101919)"
  ],
  "url": "https://mlchart.com/terminology/chemistry/equilibrium-geometry/"
}