Rotational Energy and Moment of Inertia of a nitrogen molecule

[Zacthor]

Problem 10-58a: The equilibrium separation between the nuclei of the nitrogen molecule (N2) is 0.190 nm and the mass of each nitrogen nucleus is 14.0 u, where u = 1.66E-27 kg. For rotational energies, the total energy is due to rotational kinetic energy. Approximate the nitrogen molecule as a rigid dumbbell of two equal point masses and calculate the moment of inertia about its center of mass.

Calculate the rotational energy levels for l = 1 and l = 2 using the relation El = l(l+1)hbar2/(2/I).

Anyone have any suggestions on how to tackle this problem?

 

[Shooting Star]

It seems to be an extremely simple problem Where are you getting stuck, actually?

The MI of a point mass about a given point at a distance r is mr^2. The CM of the two point masses here is obviously at the midpoint of the segment joining the the two masses.