This applet models the energy levels of the quantum mechanical harmonic oscillator.
This model allows us to calculate the vibration frequencies of molecules (although the vibrational behavior of real molecules is complicated by such factors as anharmonicity and coupling).
Click on "m1+" to increase the mass of the left atom, and "m1-" to decrease its mass. Click on "m2+" to increase the mass of the right atom, and "m2-" to decrease its mass.
Click on "k+" to increase the force constant for the bond (in effect, the "spring constant"), and "k-" to decrease it. The quantum number n is adjusted by the "n+" and "n-" buttons. Recall that the lowest energy level is 0, so that a molecule has vibrational energy even at absolute zero.
The values for the angular frequency ω ("freq"), the force constant k, and the energy E (in wavenumbers) are calculated by the applet and displayed on the right.
© 2004-2011 by Lawrence T. Sein. All rights reserved.
Send questions to:lseinjr@hotmail.com