An emission spectrum of an unknown diatomic molecule shows two intense lines at…
CHEMISTRY · Multi-part · AP · Chemistry · Properties of Substances and Mixtures · Properties of Substances and Mixtures
Problem
An emission spectrum of an unknown diatomic molecule shows two intense lines at wavelengths 4.86 × 10⁻⁷ m and 1.02 × 10⁻⁵ m.
(a) Calculate the energy, in kJ mol⁻¹, associated with absorption of a photon at each of the two wavelengths.
(b) Determine the ratio of the larger photon energy to the smaller photon energy, expressing your answer to three significant figures.
(c) For each of the two spectral lines, assign the most probable type of transition (rotational, vibrational, or electronic). Support each assignment with quantitative reasoning that references your calculations in part (a).