It is possible to estimate some properties of a diatomic molecule from the temperature dependence of the specific heat capacity. (a) Below about 80 K the specific heat capacity at constant volume for...

It is possible to estimate some properties of a diatomic molecule from the temperature dependence of the specific heat

capacity.

(a) Below about 80 K the specific heat capacity at constant volume for hydrogen gas (H2) is per molecule, but at

higher temperatures the specific heat capacity increases to per molecule due to contributions from rotational

energy states. Use these observations to estimate the distance between the hydrogen nuclei in an H2 molecule.

(b) At about 2000 K the specific heat capacity at constant volume for hydrogen gas (H2) increases to per molecule

due to contributions from vibrational energy states. Use these observations to estimate the stiffness of the “spring”

that approximately represents the interatomic force.