Date: 13/02/2024

Assignment: Vasanth 2024

Theoretical Spectroscopy (Course code: CHY/MSC324/624),

(Total Marks:20)
Course Instructor: Dr. Pushpita Ghosh∗

[Useful constants: Planck’s constant h=6.626×10−34 J s; Botzmann constant kB =1.381×10−23 J K−1 ;

speed of light c=2.998×108 m s−1 ; Atomic masses (in Kg): 1 H=1.673×10−27 ; 35 Cl=58.06×10−27 ;
14
N=23.25×10−27 ; 12 C=19.92168×10−27 , 16 O=26.56136×10−27 ]

1. What is blackbody radiation? Sketch the energy distribution curves of the radiation emitted
from a black body at two different temperatures and point out the characteristic features of the
energy distribution. (1+1+1=3)
2. (a) What is meant by spectral line width? (b) Describe homogeneous (natural line broadening)
and inhomogeneous (Doppler) line broadening. (c) Estimate the lifetime of a state that gives
rise to a line of width (a) 0.10 cm−1 , (b) 1.0 cm−1 . (1 +1+1+2=5)
3. For room temperature (298 K) calculate the ratio of molecules in a typical excited rotational,
vibrational and electronic energy level to that in the lowest energy level, assuming that the levels
are 30 cm−1 , 1000 cm−1 and 40000 cm−1 , respectively above the lowest level. [Result upto three
significant figures are sufficient. Assume that for the excited rotational level, the rotational
quantum number J is 4. Rotational energy levels are (2J + 1) fold degenerate. Assume that
the vibrational and electronic energy levels are non-degenerate. Compare the results.] (6)
4. Derive and show that the rotational spectral lines of a linear diatomic rigid-rotator are equis-
paced. However, the intensity of the different transition varies. Derive the expression for which
particular value of rotational quantum number, Jmax the intensity is maximum. (2+2=4)
5. The first line in rotational spectrum of carbon monoxide has a frequency of 3.84242 cm−1 . With
this information calculate the rotational constant and hence the C-O bond length in carbon
monoxide. [2]

∗ Electronic address: pushpita@iisertvm.ac.in