What are the sources of energy in a rigid rotator?

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The energy of a rigid rotator is defined as the sum of two distinct energy terms, which indicates the presence of two sources of energy. This concept parallels the energy formulation of a simple harmonic oscillator, where energy is also expressed as a sum of two terms. However, it is crucial to understand that energy itself is a singular quantity characterizing the system's state, rather than having multiple sources. The differentiation with respect to the coordinates of the two masses at a fixed separation R further elucidates the energy distribution in a rigid rotator.

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sharma_satdev
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the energy of rigid rotator is the sum of two energy terms which indicates there are two sources of energy.Can someone please help me in understanding the sources in the same manner as in case of simple harmonic oscillator energy which is also the sum of two energy terms
 
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What sources do you mean? Energy is one number, characterizing the state of the system. It does not have sources. The terms in expression giving the energy can be split in various manners, but this does not mean there are different sources of the energy.
 
sharma_satdev said:
the energy of rigid rotator is the sum of two energy terms which indicates there are two sources of energy

You probably think on two nablas - differetiates with respect to the coordinates of particle 1 and 2. This is because you have to masses at a fixed separation R.
 

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