Hydrogen molecule as a harmonic oscillator

[jimmypoopins]

Homework Statement

The covalent bond between the two protons in the H2 molecule can be modeled by a harmonic spring with a spring constant k = 1100 N/m.

a. What is the zero point energy of the H2 molecule as a harmonic oscillator?

b. What is the energy of the first excited state?

m_{p}=1.6726*10^-27 kg

k=1100N/m

Homework Equations

m=\frac{m_{p}}{2}

\omega=\sqrt{\frac{k}{m}

E=(n+\frac{1}{2})\hbar\omega

The Attempt at a Solution

\omega=\sqrt{\frac{1200}{8.363*10^-28}

a. E_{0}=\frac{1}{2}\hbar\omega=6.047J*10^-20J this is CORRECT

b. ??E_{1}=\frac{3}{2}\hbar\omega=1.814*10^-19J ?? this is INCORRECT

i don't understand why b. is incorrect but a. is correct. i thought the only difference would be the number for n. what am i doing wrong? can anyone help please?

 

[Astronuc]

Try using /tex instead of \tex in [\tex].

 

[jimmypoopins]

Try using /tex instead of \tex in [\tex].

thanks. i don't use that coding often. it should all be fixed now