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Master J
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In rotational (microwave) spectroscopy, the Kth energy level is BK(K + 1), B = constant.
It turns out the each Kth level is (2K + 1) degenerate.
Now, as the energy level increases, does this mean that a single molecule will be in all these states at once, or in one of them? Or does it mean that the number of MOLECULES undergoing a transition to a higher energy state increases?
I am confused about the interpretation of this.
I know that the spectrum gives a nice curve shape, increasing first, because of ^^^^ and then decreasing because of the Boltzmann Population Law ( the no. of molecules undergoing transitions to higher states decreases as the energy between the states increases).
I hope someone can clarify what is actually going on here. Thanks!
It turns out the each Kth level is (2K + 1) degenerate.
Now, as the energy level increases, does this mean that a single molecule will be in all these states at once, or in one of them? Or does it mean that the number of MOLECULES undergoing a transition to a higher energy state increases?
I am confused about the interpretation of this.
I know that the spectrum gives a nice curve shape, increasing first, because of ^^^^ and then decreasing because of the Boltzmann Population Law ( the no. of molecules undergoing transitions to higher states decreases as the energy between the states increases).
I hope someone can clarify what is actually going on here. Thanks!
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