Chapter 12, Problem 12.3P

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

${\text{N}}_{\text{2}}\text{O}$ and ${\text{CO}}_2$ have similar rotational constants but strikingly different rotational partition functions. The reason has to be explained.

Concept Introduction:

The rotational partition function has the following expression:

${\text{q}}^{\text{R}}\text{=}\frac{\text{kT}}{\text{hB}}$

$\begin{array}{l}{\text{q}}^{\text{R}}\text{=}\text{Rotational}\text{partition}\text{function}\\ \text{k=}\text{Boltzmann}\text{constant}\text{=}\text{1}\text{.381}{\text{×10}}^{\text{-23}}{\text{JK}}^{\text{-1}}\\ \text{T}\text{=}\text{Temperature}\end{array}$

$\begin{array}{l}\text{h}\text{=}{\text{Plank}}^{\text{'}}\text{s}\text{constant}\text{=}\text{6}\text{.626}{\text{×10}}^{\text{-34}}\text{J}\text{s}\\ \text{B}\text{=}\text{Rotational}\text{constant}\end{array}$