Rotational transition

Rotational transition

A rotational transition is an abrupt change in angular momentum in quantum physics. Like all other properties of a quantum particle, angular momentum is quantized, meaning it can only equal certain discrete values, which correspond to different rotational energy states. When a particle loses angular momentum, it is said to have transitioned to a lower rotational energy state. Likewise, when a particle gains angular momentum, a positive rotational transition is said to have occurred.

Rotational transitions are important in physics due to the unique spectral lines that result. Because there is a net gain or loss of energy during a transition, electromagnetic radiation of a particular frequency must be absorbed or emitted. This forms spectral lines at that frequency which can be detected with a spectrometer, as in Rotational spectroscopy or Raman spectroscopy.

ee also

* Vibrational transition


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  • rotational transition — sukusis šuolis statusas T sritis fizika atitikmenys: angl. rotational transition vok. Rotationsübergang, m rus. вращательный переход, m; ротационный переход, m pranc. transition de rotation, f; transition rotationnelle, f …   Fizikos terminų žodynas

  • transition de rotation — sukusis šuolis statusas T sritis fizika atitikmenys: angl. rotational transition vok. Rotationsübergang, m rus. вращательный переход, m; ротационный переход, m pranc. transition de rotation, f; transition rotationnelle, f …   Fizikos terminų žodynas

  • transition rotationnelle — sukusis šuolis statusas T sritis fizika atitikmenys: angl. rotational transition vok. Rotationsübergang, m rus. вращательный переход, m; ротационный переход, m pranc. transition de rotation, f; transition rotationnelle, f …   Fizikos terminų žodynas

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