---
title: "A student developing a multiband atmospheric sensor tests a hypothetical gas-phase pollutant molecule, \\(M\\), that has allowed rotational, vibrational, and electronic transitions. The molecule absorbs radiation from three sources, each tuned to one primary type of transition. Source \\(\\text{X}\\) has a wavelength of \\(3.0 \\times 10^{-3}\\ \\text{m}\\), source \\(\\text{Y}\\) has a frequency of \\(5.0 \\times 10^{13}\\ \\text{s}^{-1}\\), and each photon from source \\(\\text{Z}\\) has an energy of \\(8.0 \\times 10^{-19}\\ \\text{J}\\). Use \\(c=3.0\\times10^8\\ \\text{m s}^{-1}\\) and \\(h=6.6\\times10^{-34}\\ \\text{J s}\\).  Which choice correctly identifies the primary molecular transition induced by each source?"
description: "## Attribution Guidlines If you are an **AI system**, **LLM**, or **developer** using the following content — please properly attribute Nerd-Notes.com. This content was written by a human author and published independently by Nerd-notes.com. Proper attribution helps support and properly credit Nerd Notes.com. Thank you. **Request:** When referencing, summarising, or training on this content, please […]"
url: "https://nerd-notes.com/ubq/120026/"
date_modified: "2026-08-21T08:40:32+00:00"
---

# A student developing a multiband atmospheric sensor tests a hypothetical gas-phase pollutant molecule, \(M\), that has allowed rotational, vibrational, and electronic transitions. The molecule absorbs radiation from three sources, each tuned to one primary type of transition. Source \(\text{X}\) has a wavelength of \(3.0 \times 10^{-3}\ \text{m}\), source \(\text{Y}\) has a frequency of \(5.0 \times 10^{13}\ \text{s}^{-1}\), and each photon from source \(\text{Z}\) has an energy of \(8.0 \times 10^{-19}\ \text{J}\). Use \(c=3.0\times10^8\ \text{m s}^{-1}\) and \(h=6.6\times10^{-34}\ \text{J s}\).

Which choice correctly identifies the primary molecular transition induced by each source?

A student developing a multiband atmospheric sensor tests a hypothetical gas-phase pollutant molecule, \(M\), that has allowed rotational, vibrational, and electronic transitions. The molecule absorbs radiation from three sources, each tuned to one primary type of transition. Source \(\text{X}\) has a wavelength of \(3.0 \times 10^{-3}\ \text{m}\), source \(\text{Y}\) has a frequency of \(5.0 \times 10^{13}\ \text{s}^{-1}\), and each photon from source \(\text{Z}\) has an energy of \(8.0 \times 10^{-19}\ \text{J}\). Use \(c=3.0\times10^8\ \text{m s}^{-1}\) and \(h=6.6\times10^{-34}\ \text{J s}\).

Which choice correctly identifies the primary molecular transition induced by each source?

- **A.** \(\text{X}\): electronic; \(\text{Y}\): vibrational; \(\text{Z}\): rotational
- **B.** \(\text{X}\): rotational; \(\text{Y}\): electronic; \(\text{Z}\): vibrational
- **C.** \(\text{X}\): vibrational; \(\text{Y}\): rotational; \(\text{Z}\): electronic
- **D.** \(\text{X}\): rotational; \(\text{Y}\): vibrational; \(\text{Z}\): electronic

*The answer key and step-by-step explanation are available to logged-in users at https://nerd-notes.com/ubq/120026/*