Resumen de Teaching the Rovibronic Spectroscopy of Molecular Iodine.
Molecular iodine absorbance and fluorescence spectroscopy has a long history in the undergraduate physical chemistry laboratory curriculum. A review of articles from the pedagogical literature reveals surprising variability in reported X-state and B-state potential parameters derived from such well-studied spectra. The variation is a result of errors in spectral interpretation and analysis, and this article clarifies the correct methods for treating the data. Parameters obtained from student data are compared with accepted values from the primary literature, and expectations for accuracy and precision are established. This article also points out that the internuclear separation of X-state I2 can be calculated from the spacing of an easily resolved rotational doublet in the argon ion laser-induced fluorescence spectrum. This doublet has not been identified before in pedagogical articles.
