Question 62

Q62 Moments of inertia of molecules

Use an X-ray database to find coordinates for CH\(_3\)F, CH\(_2\)Cl\(_2\), chlororethylene (CH\(_2\)CHCl), and any other molecules you want. Calculate the moments of inertia and plot the inertia axes on top of the molecular structure. The values you obtain should be approximately as given in the table, which are in units of \(10^{-47}\,\mathrm{ kg\,m^2}\):

\[\begin{split} \begin{array}{c|ccc} \hline & I_a & I_b & I_c\\ \hline \mathrm{CH_3F} & 5.3 & & 33\\ \mathrm{CH_2Cl_2} & 26 & 255 & 276\\ \mathrm{CH_2CHCl} & 15 & 139 & 154\\ \hline \end{array}\end{split}\]