The quantum harmonic oscillator is very important in analyzing the spectra of diatomic molecules. It can also be extended to the analysis of polyatomic molecules. In this problem, you will look at how the energy levels of the harmonic oscillator relate to the spectrum of carbon monoxide. Part A. There is a strong line in the infrared spectrum of carbon monoxide with a wavelength of 4.61μm. What is the energy E of a photon in this line?
Express your answer in joules to three significant figures.
Part B. It can be shown that this line corresponds to a transition between adjacent energy levels in a harmonic oscillator. If this is true, what is the angular frequency Ï of the oscillator? Use â=1.055Ã10â34Jâs.
Express your answer in inverse seconds to three significant figures.