Why does vibrational relaxation occur.

  • Thread starter Thread starter DinosaurChemi
  • Start date Start date
AI Thread Summary
The discussion centers on the interaction of a photon with a water molecule, leading to the excitation of a vibrational mode, specifically a symmetric stretch. As the excited state evolves, it decays into various modes of the surrounding water bath, including bending, rotation, and translation. This relaxation occurs due to the coupling between the excited mode and the bath, resulting in a mixture of eigenstates rather than a pure eigenstate. The conversation seeks to understand the physical mechanisms behind this decay process and questions whether it is possible to achieve a true eigenstate in such a coupled system. The Bixon-Jortner model is referenced as a valuable resource for further exploration of these concepts, along with a specific paper that provides additional insights into the topic.
DinosaurChemi
Messages
4
Reaction score
0
Take the case of a bath/system of water. A photon of light is allowed to interact with one molecule of water giving it let's say 3200 1/cm exciting a "symmetric" stretch or some normal mode of the system similar to a symmetric stretch. The molecule will begin to vibrate but as time goes on this state which is excited will decay into either the bend, rotations or translations of the bath (i.e. the bath being everything but the excited stretch). Why does the relaxation occurs. I understand that due to coupling of the system (excited mode) with the bath I will be faced with a excitation of a linear combination of eigenstate for my system and not a true eigenstate since i have brought all these water molecules together. Is there even a way to excite a true eigenstate in such a situation? I guess I am looking for a physical understanding of the decay.
 
Last edited:
Chemistry news on Phys.org
Thread 'How to make Sodium Chlorate by Electrolysis of salt water?'

Thread 'How to make Sodium Chlorate by Electrolysis of salt water?'

I have a power supply for electrolysis of salt water brine, variable 3v to 6v up to 30 amps. Cathode is stainless steel, anode is carbon rods. Carbon rod surface area 42" sq. the Stainless steel cathode should be 21" sq. Salt is pure 100% salt dissolved into distilled water. I have been making saturated salt wrong. Today I learn saturated salt is, dissolve pure salt into 150°f water cool to 100°f pour into the 2 gallon brine tank. I find conflicting information about brine tank...
View full post »

Thread 'Ruthenium-Iridium compound with catalytic effects'

Engineers slash iridium use in electrolyzer catalyst by 80%, boosting path to affordable green hydrogen https://news.rice.edu/news/2025/engineers-slash-iridium-use-electrolyzer-catalyst-80-boosting-path-affordable-green Ruthenium is also fairly expensive (a year ago it was about $490/ troy oz, but has nearly doubled in price over the past year, now about $910/ troy oz). I tracks prices of Pt, Pd, Ru, Ir and Ru. Of the 5 metals, rhodium (Rh) is the most expensive. A year ago, Rh and Ir...
View full post »

Similar threads

Frequencies of atoms/molecules
Replies
1
Views
2K
I Questions about my Understanding of Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics
Replies
2
Views
3K
Relaxation times of molecules during sound propagation
Replies
3
Views
3K
Why Do Books Show More Than 3 Vibrational Modes for Water?
Replies
3
Views
2K
Emission of photons by vibrational relaxation of molecules
Replies
12
Views
6K
Deriving info from reducible representations
Replies
1
Views
5K
IR Spectra: Why is CO2 a doublet at 2350cm-1?
Replies
1
Views
12K
A Equipartition theorem and Coupled harmonic oscillator system
Replies
3
Views
2K
IR Absorption of Compounds: Why the 3300 cm-1 Peak?
Replies
1
Views
3K
Why light slows in transparent media
Replies
4
Views
10K

Hot Threads

Recent Insights

Back
Top