The zero-point energy in 1,3-butadiene is larger than in 1,3,5,7-octatetraene.

Question

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The zero-point energy is the minimum possible energy that a quantum mechanical physical system may have. In general, the zero-point energy increases as the number of vibrational modes in a molecule increases. In 1,3-butadiene, there are four vibrational modes, while in 1,3,5,7-octatetraene, there are eight. Therefore, the zero-point energy in 1,3-butadiene is larger than in 1,3,5,7-octatetraene.

The Zero-Point Energy in 1,3-Butadiene Is Larger Than in 1,3,5,7-Octatetraene