The ammonia molecule NH3 has the tetrahedral structure shown in figure. The three hydrogen atoms form a triangle in the xy-plane at z = 0. The nitrogen atom is the apex of the pyramid. Figure shows the potential energy of the nitrogen atom along a z-axis that is perpendicular to the H3 triangle. Assume that the three H-atoms remain fixed but the nitrogen atom can move along the z-axis.

The ammonia molecule NH₃ has the tetrahedral structure shown in figure. The three hydrogen atoms form a triangle in the xy-plane at z = 0. The nitrogen atom is the apex of the pyramid. Figure shows the potential energy of the nitrogen atom along a z-axis that is perpendicular to the H₃ triangle. Assume that the three H-atoms remain fixed but the nitrogen atom can move along the z-axis.

Linked Question 1

The nitrogen atom can gain energy if the molecule absorbs energy from a light wave. Describe the motion of the nitrogen atom if its energy is 2 × 10^–20 J.

It can go from above the triangle to below the triangle and has minimum velocity at the origin.

It can't cross the origin.

It can go from above triangle to below the triangle and has maximum velocity at the origin.

It moves towards origin and comes to rest there.

No solution

Linked Question 2

At room temperature, the nitrogen atom has 0.4 × 10^–20 J of mechanical energy. Describe the position and motion of the nitrogen atom if it is initially above the triangle.

It can go from above the triangle to below the triangle and has minimum velocity at the origin.

It moves towards origin and comes to rest there.

It can't cross the origin.

It can go from above triangle to below the triangle and has maximum velocity at the origin.

No Solution

Linked Question 3

The position of the centroid of the triangle in xy-plane as mentioned here is the position of

stable equilibrium of nitrogen atom

neutral equilibrium of nitrogen atom

not an equilibrium of nitrogen atom

unstable equilibrium of nitrogen atom

No solution