Normal coordinate

{
  "id": "MLC-T-CHM-008068",
  "term": "Normal coordinate",
  "field": "Chemistry",
  "definition": "A specific linear combination of internal coordinates that describes a vibrational mode in a molecule. These coordinates are chosen such that the potential energy of the molecule can be expressed as a sum of squares of these coordinates, simplifying the analysis of molecular vibrations. Each normal coordinate corresponds to a normal mode of vibration, which is an independent, synchronous motion of atoms.",
  "subject": "Analytical Chemistry",
  "see_also": [
    "normal coordinate analysis",
    "vibrational eigenvector"
  ],
  "references": [
    "PAC, 2021, 93, 647. 'Glossary of methods and terms used in analytical spectroscopy (IUPAC Recommendations 2019)' on page 756 (https://doi.org/10.1515/pac-2019-0203)"
  ],
  "url": "https://mlchart.com/terminology/chemistry/normal-coordinate/"
}