Vibrating water molecules: a closer look
 The whole water molecule vibrates in three ways: one way like a Mickey Mouse
with flapping ears. A water molecule consists of two small atoms of hydrogen
arranged in a bent fashion about a larger atom of oxygen. The vibration brings
the hydrogen "ears" together and apart. This vibration occurs at the lowest
frequency, in the infra-red.
The other two vibrations are twice as energetic and involve a stretching of the
bonds holding the oxygen and hydrogen atoms together. Even these vibrations,
however, oscillate at heat frequencies below what we see.
Return to: Why deep-water colors look black
|
