Chapter 21: Problem 54
The ammonia molecule (NH\(_3\)) has a dipole moment of \(5.0 \times 10^{30}\) C \(\cdot\) m. Ammonia molecules in the gas phase are placed in a uniform electric field \(\overrightarrow{E}\) with magnitude \(1.6 \times 10^6\) N\(/\)C. (a) What is the change in electric potential energy when the dipole moment of a molecule changes its orientation with respect to \(\overrightarrow{E}\) from parallel to perpendicular? (b) At what absolute temperature \(T\) is the average translational kinetic energy \(\frac{3}{2} kT\) of a molecule equal to the change in potential energy calculated in part (a)? (Note: Above this temperature, thermal agitation prevents the dipoles from aligning with the electric field.)
Short Answer
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Key Concepts
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