The rotational states and their energies for a model of a ringlike molecule are studied. It is found that the discrete cylindrical symmetry of the molecule gives rise to a new quantum number in addition to that for the usual quantized angular momentum m⁠. This new quantum number is formally analogous to but differs physically from the Bloch wave number for a one-dimensional crystal. The rotational states and energies of this model are discussed.

Topics
Crystal lattices, Bloch wave, Bloch theorem, Newtonian mechanics, Rotational dynamics, Atomic and molecular spectra, Educational assessment, Quantum state, Excitation energies
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© 2009 American Association of Physics Teachers.
2009
American Association of Physics Teachers
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