The quantum theory of atoms in molecules defines structures for and determines the properties of the atoms and bonds in the series of carbocations [(CH3),CH3_,]+ with n = 0-3, and their parent hydrocarbons. In this theory, an atom in a molecule and its properties are defined by quantum mechanics. The quantum condition defining the atom is given in terms of a property derived from the charge density, as are the other concepts of the molecular structure hypothesis. In terms of the amount of electronic charge density accumulated between the carbon nuclei and its spatial distribution, a C-C bond of the carbocations exhibits an order greater than one. There is a transfer of charge from the hydrogens of methyl to the central carbon that destroys the axial symmetry of these C-C bonds and concentrates the charge in a plane perpendicular to the plane of substitution, in a manner consistent with the hyperconjugative mechanism of electron transfer. The positive charge of a carbocation is thus delocalized over all the atoms in the molecule, and the extent of this delocalization increases with increased methyl substitution. The electron population of each atom in a carbocation increases with this increase in the delocalization of positive charge and its energy is correspondingly decreased (the atom becomes more stable). These effects are most pronounced for the carbon atom bearing the methyl groups and they account for the observed increase in the relative stabilities of the carbocations with increasing methyl substitution. The electron populations and energies of the atoms in saturated hydrocarbons are also determined. The group additivity scheme for the energy in the homologous series of normal alkanes is predicted and explained in terms of the properties of the quantum atoms. It is the possibility of such transferability of the quantum atoms and their properties between systems that identifies them with the atoms of chemistry.R. F. W. BADER. Can. J. Chem. 64, 1036 (1986).La thCorie quantique des atomes dans les molCcules dCfinit les structures et dCtermine les properiCtCs des atomes et des liaisons dans une sCrie de carbocations [(CH~),CH~-~]+, dans lesquels n = 0-3, ainsi que dans leurs hydrocarbures de base. Dans cette thCorie, la condition quantique qui dCfinit l'atome ainsi que les autres concepts de l'hypothbse relative i la structure molCculaire sont dCfinies en fonction d'une propriCtC dCrivCe de la densit6 de charge. En termes de la densit6 de la charge Clectronique qui est accumulCe entre les noyaux de carbone et de leur distribution spatiale, une liaison C-C des carbocations prksente un ordre qui est plus grand que un. I1 se produit un transfert de charge des hydrogbnes du mCthyle vers le carbone central et ceci dCtruit la symktrie axiale de ces liaisons C-C et concentre la charge dans un plan perpendiculaire au plan de la substitution, d'une manikre qui est en accord avec le mecanisme d'hyperconjugaison de transfert Clectronique. La charge positive d'un carbocation est donc dClocalisCe sur tous les atomes de la...