Picture a simple molecule as two balls attached together by a compressible spring. If an incoming atom strikes one end of the molecule, the spring compresses and the vibrating molecule jumps backwards. Or does it?
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Brouard, M. When molecules don't rebound. Nature 454, 43–45 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1038/454043a
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/454043a