Infrared-Active Vibrational Modes in Water

infrared spectrum

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This Demonstration shows the fundamental vibrations of the water molecule: symmetric stretch, asymmetric stretch and bending. Any vibration of the molecule is a combination of these normal modes. Also, in liquid water, rotations may cause an infrared absorption with motions restricted by hydrogen bonds. As a consequence of these librations, a broad absorption band occurs at lower wavelengths [1].

Details

Snapshot 1: water infrared spectrum; each peak is related to one of the three normal modes [2]

Snapshot 2: symmetric stretch: this vibration is infrared active as the dipole changes

Snapshot 3: overview of the three modes of vibration

References

[1] M. Chaplin. "Water Absorption Spectrum." (Nov 20, 2019) www1.lsbu.ac.uk/water/water_vibrational_spectrum.html.

[2] "Water IR Spectrum," NIST Chemistry WebBook, SRD 69. (Nov 20, 2019) webbook.nist.gov/cgi/cbook.cgi?ID=C7732185&Type=IR-SPEC&Index=1.

External Links

Infrared and Raman Vibrational Spectra of Methane

Permanent Citation

D. Meliga, S. Z. Lavagnino

"Infrared-Active Vibrational Modes in Water" from the Wolfram Demonstrations Project http://demonstrations.wolfram.com/InfraredActiveVibrationalModesInWater/
Published: January 10, 2020