In a circle model of a rotating diatomic molecule of oxygen , the two oxygen atoms are
apart and rotate about their center of mass with an angular speed
. What is the rotational kinetic energy of one molecule of
, which has a molar mass of
?
1. Given values: - Distance between oxygen atoms
Angular speed
Molar mass of
Avogadro's number
2. Calculate the reduced mass : Since
is a diatomic molecule with two identical oxygen atoms, we have:
3. Calculate the moment of inertia :
4. Calculate the rotational kinetic energy :
Now, let's perform the calculations:
1. Calculate :
2. Calculate :
3. Calculate :
4. Evaluate
:
The rotational kinetic energy of one molecule of is equal to
Joules.