A hydrochloric acid molecule consists of a lightweight hydrogen atom bound to a much more massive chlorine atom. The interaction between the atoms is not purely attractive, but has a potential energy function that has a valley whose bottom corresponds to a certain nonzero distance between the atoms. If we ignore rotations, which of the idealized models in this chapter might best describe this molecule?
A) The quanton in a box model
B) The Bohr model
C) The simple harmonic oscillator model

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The simple harmonic oscillator model best describes a molecule like hydrochloric acid, where two atoms are bound together with a potential energy that has a minimum at a certain distance, resembling the behavior of masses connected by springs.

A Hydrochloric Acid Molecule Consists of a Lightweight Hydrogen Atom