Pollution Police. How To Determine Spectroscopic Selection Rules

Abstract

Pollution Police is a laboratory or classroom project intended to show students how quantum mechanical selection rules can be developed. Students see how elementary linear algebra and group theory are used to describe molecular symmetry, how chemical character tables are constructed, and how spectroscopic selection rules are determined from the symmetry. In addition to the connection between symmetry and spectroscopy, students also learn about point groups, symmetry elements, symmetry operations, and degenerate vibrations, all in the context of identifying atmospheric pollutants from their infrared spectra.