- #1
bcjochim07
- 374
- 0
Homework Statement
I want to calculate the reduced mass of a molecular ion, NO^{+} (singly-ionized nitrogen monoxide molecule) in atomic units. My question is, how would I take into account the missing electron in this calculation.
Homework Equations
mass of N in a.u. is about 25525 a.u.
mass of O in a.u. is about 29157 a.u.
mass of electron in a.u. is 1 a.u.
The Attempt at a Solution
--Would it be reasonable to arbitrarily say that the electron was taken from the O atom and thus the reduced mass is given by the following:
(29156)(25525)/(29156+25525) = 13610.0 a.u.
--If I say that the electron was taken from N, I would get the following:
(29157)(25524)/(29157+25524) = 13609.9 a.u. --- not much different
Or I could find the reduced mass of NO and then subtract one:
(29157)(25525)/(29157+25525) - 1 = 13609.2 a.u. --- again not too different
Any ideas on which of these is the most correct way to do the calculation, or if there is another better way to approach it? Thanks.