Randall D. Knight — Oscillations: Problem 66

A molecular bond can be modeled as a spring between two atoms that vibrate with simple harmonic motion. FIGURE P15.66 shows an SHM approximation for the potential energy of an HCl molecule. Because the chlorine atom is so much more massive than the hydrogen atom, it is reasonable to assume that the hydrogen atom (\(m = 1.67 \times 10^{-27} \text{ kg}\)) vibrates back and forth while the chlorine atom remains at rest. Use the graph to estimate the vibrational frequency of the HCl molecule.