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Solved: Light of wavelength 3.10 mm strikes and is
Chapter 42, Problem 4E(choose chapter or problem)
Light of wavelength 3.10 mm strikes and is absorbed by a molecule. Is this process most likely to alter the rotational, vibrational, or atomic energy levels of the molecule? Explain your reasoning. (b) If the light in part (a) had a wavelength of 207 nm, which energy levels would it most likely affect? Explain.
Questions & Answers
QUESTION:
Light of wavelength 3.10 mm strikes and is absorbed by a molecule. Is this process most likely to alter the rotational, vibrational, or atomic energy levels of the molecule? Explain your reasoning. (b) If the light in part (a) had a wavelength of 207 nm, which energy levels would it most likely affect? Explain.
ANSWER:Introduction
We have to first calculate the energy of the given light. Then from the energy of the light we can say which energy state the light will excite.
Step 1
The energy of a photon is given by
Here we have
Hence the energy of the photon is
Since the energy range lies in the typical range of rotational energy level, this photon will excite the rotational energy level of the molecule.