Molecular rotation: A rotating diatomic molecule has rotational quantum number l. The energy DIFFERENCE between adjacent energy levels
A) increases as l increases.
B) decreases as l increases.
C) is the same for all changes in l.
D) is independent of l.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The energy difference between adjacent energy levels in a rotating diatomic molecule increases as the rotational quantum number $l$ increases. This is because the energy levels are quantized and the spacing between them is proportional to $l(l+1)$, making the energy difference larger for higher values of $l$.

Molecular Rotation: a Rotating Diatomic Molecule Has Rotational Quantum Number