Physical Chemistry
Physical Chemistry
2nd Edition
ISBN: 9781133958437
Author: Ball, David W. (david Warren), BAER, Tomas
Publisher: Wadsworth Cengage Learning,
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Chapter 13, Problem 13.1E

In your own words, explain why an object that has more symmetry elements is said to have “higher symmetry” than an object with fewer symmetry elements.

Expert Solution & Answer
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Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

The reason as to why an object that has more symmetry elements is said to have “higher symmetry” than an object with fewer symmetry elements is to be stated.

Concept introduction:

A symmetry operation is defined as an action on an object to reproduce an arrangement that is identical to its original spatial arrangement. The spatial arrangement of the object remains identical after a symmetry operation. The point of reference through which a symmetry operation takes place is termed as a symmetry element.

Answer to Problem 13.1E

An object that has more symmetry elements is said to have “higher symmetry” than an object with fewer symmetry elements because the object with more symmetry element has more identical spatial arrangements.

Explanation of Solution

The plane of symmetry is a symmetry element that is present in an object that can be divided into two equal identical halves. For example, the letter H has two planes of symmetry. These planes of symmetry are represented as,

Physical Chemistry, Chapter 13, Problem 13.1E , additional homework tip  1

Figure 1

If the letter H is written upside down then it will look totally identical to its original arrangement.

The letter A has only one plane of symmetry. The plane of symmetry in letter A is represented as,

Physical Chemistry, Chapter 13, Problem 13.1E , additional homework tip  2

Figure 2

If the letter A is written upside down then it will not look identical to its original arrangement.

The symmetry element of letter H is more than letter A and letter H is more symmetrical than letter A.

Therefore, it can be concluded that the object with more symmetry elements has more identical spatial arrangements. An object that has more symmetry elements is said to have “higher symmetry” than an object with fewer symmetry elements.

Conclusion

The object with more symmetry element has more identical spatial arrangements. Therefore, an object that has more symmetry elements is said to have “higher symmetry” than an object with fewer symmetry elements.

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Chapter 13 Solutions

Physical Chemistry

Ch. 13 - Prob. 13.11ECh. 13 - Prob. 13.12ECh. 13 - Prob. 13.13ECh. 13 - What are the number of classes and the order of...Ch. 13 - Prob. 13.15ECh. 13 - a Show that the C3v point group satisfies the...Ch. 13 - a In the Td point group, an S41 improper rotation...Ch. 13 - Determine which single symmetry operation of the...Ch. 13 - Prob. 13.19ECh. 13 - Prob. 13.20ECh. 13 - Prob. 13.21ECh. 13 - Figure 13.27 shows the structure of the molecule...Ch. 13 - Prob. 13.23ECh. 13 - Identify all the symmetry elements present in the...Ch. 13 - Point groups are called such because all of the...Ch. 13 - Determine the point groups of the following...Ch. 13 - Determine the point group of the following...Ch. 13 - Determine the point groups of the following...Ch. 13 - Determine the point groups of the following...Ch. 13 - Structural isomers can have very different point...Ch. 13 - Structural isomers can have very different point...Ch. 13 - Prob. 13.32ECh. 13 - Identify the point group of the wave functions of...Ch. 13 - Identify the point group of the wave functions of...Ch. 13 - Prob. 13.35ECh. 13 - Determine if the following species have permanent...Ch. 13 - Determine if the following species have permanent...Ch. 13 - Which of the following species will not have...Ch. 13 - Prob. 13.39ECh. 13 - Explain why a molecule with a center of inversion...Ch. 13 - a Unlike methane, bromochlorofluoromethane...Ch. 13 - Prob. 13.42ECh. 13 - Prob. 13.43ECh. 13 - Prob. 13.44ECh. 13 - Show that the irreducible representations of the...Ch. 13 - Show that any two of the irreducible...Ch. 13 - Show that any irreducible representation of these...Ch. 13 - Explain why this proposed irreducible...Ch. 13 - Prob. 13.49ECh. 13 - Prob. 13.50ECh. 13 - Why is it unnecessary to consider whether an...Ch. 13 - Prob. 13.52ECh. 13 - Prob. 13.53ECh. 13 - Prob. 13.54ECh. 13 - Prob. 13.55ECh. 13 - Prob. 13.56ECh. 13 - Prob. 13.57ECh. 13 - Prob. 13.58ECh. 13 - Reduce the following reducible representations...Ch. 13 - Determine the resulting representations for the...Ch. 13 - Prob. 13.61ECh. 13 - Without using the great orthogonality theorem,...Ch. 13 - Assume that you are evaluating the integral of...Ch. 13 - Prob. 13.64ECh. 13 - Assume that x- polarized light can be assigned an...Ch. 13 - Prob. 13.66ECh. 13 - Prob. 13.67ECh. 13 - Prob. 13.68ECh. 13 - Prob. 13.69ECh. 13 - Prob. 13.70ECh. 13 - Construct the symmetry-adapted linear combination...Ch. 13 - Prob. 13.72ECh. 13 - Prob. 13.73ECh. 13 - Prob. 13.74ECh. 13 - Prob. 13.75ECh. 13 - Prob. 13.76ECh. 13 - Prob. 13.77ECh. 13 - Suppose you use p0,p1 and p+1 along with s...Ch. 13 - Show that the individual sp orbitals, as written...Ch. 13 - Prob. 13.80ECh. 13 - What is the rough hybridization of the carbon...Ch. 13 - Determine the symmetry species of the D3h point...Ch. 13 - Determine the D3h symmetry species of the sp3d...Ch. 13 - Prob. 13.84ECh. 13 - In propene CH3CH=CH2, the first carbon has sp3...Ch. 13 - Prob. 13.87ECh. 13 - Prob. 13.88ECh. 13 - Prob. 13.89E
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