The Morse potential helps determine a molecule's vibrational structure.
A molecule refers to a group of two or more atoms held together by chemical bonds. The Morse potential, named after Physicist Philip M. Morse, is used to approximate the vibrational structure of a molecule.
Definition
Morse potential states two atoms capable of forming a chemical bond will produce a diatomic molecule when they come in close vicinity to each other. Diatomic molecules are comprised of two atoms with either the same or different chemical elements. Morse potential describes the potential energy, or the energy stored in a system due to its configuration, of the diatomic molecule.
Bonds
Morse potential takes into account the effects of bond breaking when determining potential energy. Chemical bonds can be broken due to reactants, which results in a change of energy. Morse potential also considers unbound states, or molecules not attached by a chemical bond, when determining the energy potential used in describing molecule vibrations.
Anharmonicity
Morse potential also considers anharmonicity, which is caused when oscillation, or rotation, does not occur in simple harmonic motion. A molecule's oscillation, or vibrational structure, can affect its potential energy.
Tags: Morse potential, potential energy, vibrational structure, also considers, chemical bond, diatomic molecule
