Six items are listed below. Three of them are electromagnetic wavelengths; three are descriptions of molecular processes.
1. 660nm 2. 4.5μm 3. 3.0cm
4. Rotational transition in CO(g)
5. Vibrational transition in HCl(g)
6. Electronic transition resulting in a visible emission line of Na(g) at 589 nm
A student proposes that each wavelength can be logically paired with one, and only one, of the molecular processes.
(a) Match each wavelength with the molecular process that occurs on an approximately similar energy scale. Provide a brief rationale for each match.
(b) Arrange all six items (the three wavelengths and the three processes) in order of decreasing photon energy. Clearly indicate the order.
(c) Justify the ordering in part (b) by citing quantitative relationships among energy, wavelength, and frequency or by appealing to appropriate qualitative molecular arguments.