Problem 6.10. A water molecule can vibrate in various ways, but the easiest type of vibration to excite is the "flexing" mode in which the hydrogen atoms move toward and away from each other but the HO bonds do not stretch. The oscillations of this mode are approximately harmonic, with a frequency of 4.8 x 10¹3 Hz. As for any quantum harmonic oscillator, the energy levels are hf, hf, hf, and so on. None of these levels are degenerate. (a) Calculate the probability of a water molecule being in its flexing ground state and in each of the first two excited states, assuming that it is in equi- librium with a reservoir (say the atmosphere) at 300 K. (Hint: Calculate Z by adding up the first few Boltzmann factors, until the rest are negligible.) (b) Repeat the calculation for a water molecule in equilibrium with a reservoir at 700 K (perhaps in a steam turbine).

Chemistry
10th Edition
ISBN:9781305957404
Author:Steven S. Zumdahl, Susan A. Zumdahl, Donald J. DeCoste
Publisher:Steven S. Zumdahl, Susan A. Zumdahl, Donald J. DeCoste
Chapter1: Chemical Foundations
Section: Chapter Questions
Problem 1RQ: Define and explain the differences between the following terms. a. law and theory b. theory and...
icon
Related questions
Question

How to solve this question 

Problem 6.10. A water molecule can vibrate in various ways, but the easiest
type of vibration to excite is the "flexing" mode in which the hydrogen atoms move
toward and away from each other but the HO bonds do not stretch. The oscillations
of this mode are approximately harmonic, with a frequency of 4.8 × 10¹3 Hz. As
for any quantum harmonic oscillator, the energy levels are hf, hf, hf, and so
on. None of these levels are degenerate.
(a) Calculate the probability of a water molecule being in its flexing ground
state and in each of the first two excited states, assuming that it is in equi-
librium with a reservoir (say the atmosphere) at 300 K. (Hint: Calculate Z
by adding up the first few Boltzmann factors, until the rest are negligible.)
(b) Repeat the calculation for a water molecule in equilibrium with a reservoir
at 700 K (perhaps in a steam turbine).
Transcribed Image Text:Problem 6.10. A water molecule can vibrate in various ways, but the easiest type of vibration to excite is the "flexing" mode in which the hydrogen atoms move toward and away from each other but the HO bonds do not stretch. The oscillations of this mode are approximately harmonic, with a frequency of 4.8 × 10¹3 Hz. As for any quantum harmonic oscillator, the energy levels are hf, hf, hf, and so on. None of these levels are degenerate. (a) Calculate the probability of a water molecule being in its flexing ground state and in each of the first two excited states, assuming that it is in equi- librium with a reservoir (say the atmosphere) at 300 K. (Hint: Calculate Z by adding up the first few Boltzmann factors, until the rest are negligible.) (b) Repeat the calculation for a water molecule in equilibrium with a reservoir at 700 K (perhaps in a steam turbine).
Expert Solution
trending now

Trending now

This is a popular solution!

steps

Step by step

Solved in 2 steps with 2 images

Blurred answer
Knowledge Booster
Electronic Transitions and Spectroscopy
Learn more about
Need a deep-dive on the concept behind this application? Look no further. Learn more about this topic, chemistry and related others by exploring similar questions and additional content below.
Recommended textbooks for you
Chemistry
Chemistry
Chemistry
ISBN:
9781305957404
Author:
Steven S. Zumdahl, Susan A. Zumdahl, Donald J. DeCoste
Publisher:
Cengage Learning
Chemistry
Chemistry
Chemistry
ISBN:
9781259911156
Author:
Raymond Chang Dr., Jason Overby Professor
Publisher:
McGraw-Hill Education
Principles of Instrumental Analysis
Principles of Instrumental Analysis
Chemistry
ISBN:
9781305577213
Author:
Douglas A. Skoog, F. James Holler, Stanley R. Crouch
Publisher:
Cengage Learning
Organic Chemistry
Organic Chemistry
Chemistry
ISBN:
9780078021558
Author:
Janice Gorzynski Smith Dr.
Publisher:
McGraw-Hill Education
Chemistry: Principles and Reactions
Chemistry: Principles and Reactions
Chemistry
ISBN:
9781305079373
Author:
William L. Masterton, Cecile N. Hurley
Publisher:
Cengage Learning
Elementary Principles of Chemical Processes, Bind…
Elementary Principles of Chemical Processes, Bind…
Chemistry
ISBN:
9781118431221
Author:
Richard M. Felder, Ronald W. Rousseau, Lisa G. Bullard
Publisher:
WILEY