Question

Question: From the qualitative shapes of the interatomic potential energies in Fig. 10.21, would you expect the vibrational level in the excited electronic state to be spaced the same. Farther apart, or closer together than those in the lower energy electronic state? Explain what about the rotational levels?

Short answer

Answer

1. Due to the smaller value of fraction$\sqrt{\frac{\kappa }{\mu }}$, the vibrational levels will be closely packed. As The minima for rotational levels are located at larger separation, thus, the levels are more closely packed due to increased rotational inertia

Step-by-step solution

Concept of interatomic potential energy.

The energy contributed to the total energy of the solid, due to the interactions that take place between the atom of a single molecule or atoms of adjacent molecules is called interatomic potential energy. the interatomic forces can be attractive as well as repulsive.

Explanation

Due to the smaller curvature of excited state potential energy, it affects the spring constant. In this case the fraction $\sqrt{\frac{\kappa }{\mu }}$would have smaller values, hence, the vibrational levels would be closely placed.

For the excited curves, their minima are located at a larger separation. This increases the rotational inertia hence the rotational energy levels are more closely packed.