In a cyanine dye molecule, one electron is free to move up and down along a linear chain of carbon atoms, but cannot pass the nitrogen atoms at each of the chain's ends. Assume that the length of the chain does not change much as we increase the electron's energy (within reasonable limits). Which of the idealized models in this chapter might best describe the electron in this situation?
A) The quanton in a box model}
B) The Bohr model
C) The simple harmonic oscillator model

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The quanton in a box model best describes the electron in a cyanine dye molecule because it involves an electron that is free to move within a defined space (the carbon chain) but cannot escape past certain boundaries (the nitrogen atoms at each end), similar to a particle in a one-dimensional box with fixed boundaries.

In a Cyanine Dye Molecule, One Electron Is Free to Move