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Infrared spectra are used by chemists to help identify an unknown substance?

• Infrared spectra are used by chemists to help identify an unknown substance. Atoms in a molecule that are bound together by a particular bond vibrate at a predictable frequency, and light at that frequency is absorbed strongly by the atom. In the case of the C==O double bond, for example, the oxygen atom is bound to the carbon by a bond that has an effective spring constant of 2800 N/m. If we assume that the carbon atom remains stationary (it is attached to other atoms in the molecule), determine the resonant frequency of this bond and the wavelength of light that matches that frequency. (The mass of an oxygen atom is 2.66 10 -26 kg.) f 1.6409e18 Your response differs significantly from the correct answer. Rework your solution from the beginning and check each step carefully. Hz λ 1.66 Your response differs from the correct answer by more than 10%. Double check your calculations. µm

• Answer:

  1721 cm^-1 λ = 5810 nm