Scribd
Upload
5 views

Problem42 40

1) The document calculates the energy difference (ΔE) between the l=1 and l=0 rotational energy levels of a carbon monoxide (CO) molecule to be 7.67×10^-23 J, corresponding to a wavelength of 2.59 mm. 2) It then compares the thermal energy (kT) at 20K to ΔE, finding kT to be larger than ΔE by a factor of 3.6. 3) This means that even at low temperatures, there is sufficient thermal energy to excite CO molecules into the first rotational level, allowing astronomers to detect the 2.59 mm radiation from such molecular clouds.

Uploaded by

IENCS
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
Available Formats
Download as DOC, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
5 views

Problem42 40

1) The document calculates the energy difference (ΔE) between the l=1 and l=0 rotational energy levels of a carbon monoxide (CO) molecule to be 7.67×10^-23 J, corresponding to a wavelength of 2.59 mm. 2) It then compares the thermal energy (kT) at 20K to ΔE, finding kT to be larger than ΔE by a factor of 3.6. 3) This means that even at low temperatures, there is sufficient thermal energy to excite CO molecules into the first rotational level, allowing astronomers to detect the 2.59 mm radiation from such molecular clouds.

Uploaded by

IENCS
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
Available Formats
Download as DOC, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 1

−46

42.40: a)  I co = 1.449 ×10 kg ⋅ m .


2

 2l (l +1) 1.054 ×10 −34 J ⋅ s) 2 (1) (1 +1)


El =1 = = = 7.67 ×10 −23 J.
2I 2(1.449 ×10 −46 kg ⋅ m 2 )
E l =0 = 0.
∆E = 7.67 ×10 −23 J = 4.79 ×10 −4 eV .
hc (6.63 ×10 −34 J ⋅ s) (3.00 ×10 8 m s)
λ= = = 2.59 ×10 −3 m = 2.59 mm.
∆E (7.67 ×10 −23 J )
b) Let’s compare the value of kT when T=20 K to that of ∆E for the l = 1 → l = 0
rotational transition:

kT = (1.38 ×10 −23 J K) (20 K) = 2.76 ×10 −22 J.


kT
∆E = 7.67 ×10 −23 J (from part (a)). So = 3.60 .
∆E

Therefore, although T is quite small, there is still plenty of energy to excite CO molecules
into the first rotational level. This allows astronomers to detect the 2.59 mm wavelength
radiation from such molecular clouds.

You might also like