Question: Problem Two ( 20 points) We have learned that the potential energy surface (PES) for a molecular system emerges from the groundstate solution of the


Problem Two ( 20 points) We have learned that the potential energy surface (PES) for a molecular system emerges from the groundstate solution of the Schrodinger equation. In class, it was illustrated that for an isolated HCl molecule, we could qualitatively plot the potential energy surface as follows. Once again, let us consider the molecule HCl. The equilibrium bond length for this molecule is 1.27A. Now imagine that we are able to align 2 chloride ions (Cl)and 1 proton (H+)as shown below. Parts A and B: Construct a qualitative plot of the potential energy surface as a function of R for each case A and B. Label the local minima and maxima and the value of R at which they occur. (Note that R is the distance between the leftmost Cland the H+ion. Part C : We will investigate how the curve in part B changes if the Clat the origin is replaced with a Br2 ion that forms a weaker bond to H+. Below, first, replot the curve from part B, and then sketch the new potential energy surface. Label the two curves. Explain how they differ and justify your answer in 1-2 sentences. (We are focused on the depth of the PES minima, but you can look up "Hammond's Postulate" or the "Bell-Evans-Polanyi Principle" to also predict how the barrier will change. (+1 bonus, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hammond\%27s_postulate)) Part D: How would each of these curves change if we replaced the proton H+with the deuterium cation D+, which differs only by having twice the mass? (Describe in 1-2 sentences; justify your answer.)
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