Question

For Predicting the electronic absorption spectrum of the C₆₀ molecule [ The fullerene known as a Buckyball, named after American inventor R. Buckminster Fuller ], which of the following models would you expect to provide the best prediction of the first three transitions, and why? Particle on a ring, rigig rotor, harmonic oscillator, particle in a box.

Answer 1

Harmonic oscillator is expected to provide the pest prediction.

Harmonic oscillator is the system that experiences a restoring force when displaced from its equilibrium position, proportional to displacement x.

F = - kx

where k is constant and x is displacement.

C60 is a highly stable structure withstanding high temperature and pressure with each carbon atom covalently bonded to 3 others. With absorption spectra, vibrational energy states tend to follow one-dimensional harmonic oscillator.