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Ch 42: Molecules and Condensed Matter
Young & Freedman Calc - University Physics 14th Edition
Young & Freedman Calc14th EditionUniversity PhysicsISBN: 9780321973610Not the one you use?Change textbook
Chapter 42, Problem 9b

The rotational energy levels of CO are calculated in Example 42.242.2. If the energy of the rotating molecule is described by the classical expression K=(12)Iω2K=(\(\frac\)12)I\(\omega\)^2, for the l=1 l = 1 level, what is the linear speed of each atom?

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Step 1: Recall the classical expression for rotational kinetic energy, which is given as \( K = \frac{1}{2} I \omega^2 \), where \( I \) is the moment of inertia and \( \omega \) is the angular velocity. For the quantum rotational energy levels, the energy is quantized as \( E_l = \frac{l(l+1)\hbar^2}{2I} \), where \( l \) is the rotational quantum number.
Step 2: For the \( l = 1 \) level, substitute \( l = 1 \) into the quantized energy expression \( E_l = \frac{l(l+1)\hbar^2}{2I} \) to find the rotational energy. This energy corresponds to the classical rotational kinetic energy \( K \). Equate \( K = E_l \) to find \( \omega \).
Step 3: Solve for the angular velocity \( \omega \) using the relationship \( K = \frac{1}{2} I \omega^2 \). Rearrange the equation to get \( \omega = \sqrt{\frac{2K}{I}} \). Substitute \( K = E_l \) from Step 2 into this expression.
Step 4: The linear speed \( v \) of each atom in the molecule is related to the angular velocity \( \omega \) by the formula \( v = r \omega \), where \( r \) is the distance of the atom from the axis of rotation. For a diatomic molecule like CO, \( r \) is the bond length divided by 2 for each atom.
Step 5: Substitute the values of \( \omega \) (from Step 3) and \( r \) (from the bond length of CO) into the formula \( v = r \omega \) to calculate the linear speed of each atom. Ensure that the units are consistent throughout the calculation.

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Rotational Kinetic Energy

Rotational kinetic energy is the energy possessed by an object due to its rotation. It is given by the formula K = (1/2)Iω^2, where I is the moment of inertia and ω is the angular velocity. This concept is crucial for understanding how energy is distributed in rotating systems, such as molecules.
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Moment of Inertia

The moment of inertia is a measure of an object's resistance to changes in its rotation. It depends on the mass distribution relative to the axis of rotation. For a molecule like CO, the moment of inertia can be calculated based on the masses of the atoms and their distances from the center of mass, which is essential for determining rotational energy levels.
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Linear Speed

Linear speed refers to the speed at which an object moves along a path. For rotating objects, the linear speed of a point on the object can be calculated using the relationship v = rω, where r is the radius (distance from the axis of rotation) and ω is the angular velocity. Understanding linear speed is important for analyzing the motion of atoms in a rotating molecule.
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Related Practice
Textbook Question

The rotational energy levels of CO are calculated in Example 42.242.2. If the energy of the rotating molecule is described by the classical expression K=(12)Iω2K=(\(\frac\)12)I\(\omega\)^2, for the l=1 l = 1 level, what is the rotational period (the time for one rotation)?

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Textbook Question

The rotational energy levels of CO are calculated in Example 42.242.2. If the energy of the rotating molecule is described by the classical expression K=(12)Iω2K=(\(\frac\)12)I\(\omega\)^2, for the l=1 l = 1 level, what is the angular speed of the rotating molecule?

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Textbook Question

The average kinetic energy of an ideal-gas atom or molecule is (32)kT\(\left\)(\(\frac\)32\(\right\))kT, where TT is the Kelvin temperature (Chapter 1818). The rotational inertia of the H2 molecule is 4.6×10484.6\(\times\)10^{-48} kg-m2. What is the value of TT for which (32)kT\(\left\)(\(\frac\)32\(\right\))kT equals the energy separation between the l=0l = 0 and l=1l = 1 energy levels of H2? What does this tell you about the number of H2 molecules in the l=1l = 1 level at room temperature?

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Textbook Question

The H2 molecule has a moment of inertia of 4.6×10484.6\(\times\)10^{-48} kg-m2. What is the wavelength ll of the photon absorbed when H2 makes a transition from the l=3l = 3 to the l=4l = 4 rotational level?

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Textbook Question

Two atoms of cesium (Cs) can form a Cs2Cs_2 molecule. The equilibrium distance between the nuclei in a Cs2Cs_2 molecule is 0.447 0.447 nm. Calculate the moment of inertia about an axis through the center of mass of the two nuclei and perpendicular to the line joining them. The mass of a cesium atom is 2.21×10252.21\(\times\)10^{-25} kg.

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Textbook Question

Potassium bromide (KBr) has a density of 2.75×1032.75\(\times\)10^3 kg/m3 and the same crystal structure as NaCl. The mass of a potassium atom is 6.49×10266.49\(\times\)10^{-26} kg, and the mass of a bromine atom is 1.33×10251.33\(\times\)10^{-25} kg. Calculate the average spacing between adjacent atoms in a KBr crystal.

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