a: Diatomic molecule ~
b: two masses connected by a spring
What: "For instance, a diatomic molecule is like two masses connected by a spring, so there's only one mode of vibration and one corresponding coordinate, namely the distance between the two atoms. The other degrees of freedom you're thinking of have to do with other types of motion, like translation and rotation."
Useful?
Writer: vena
LCC:
Where:
Date: Jul 30 2013 5:48 PM
# 3499 Critique Analogy