Physical Properties of Molecules and Condensed Materials Governed by Onsite Repulsion, Spin-Orbit Coupling and Polarizability of Their Constituent Atoms

The onsite repulsion, spin–orbit coupling and polarizability of elements and their ions play important roles in controlling the physical properties of molecules and condensed materials. In celebration of the 150th birthday of the periodic table this year, we briefly review how these parameters affect the physical properties and are interrelated.