Of the Three Modes of Molecular Motion-Vibration, Rotation, and Translation-Which

Multiple Choice

Of the three modes of molecular motion-vibration, rotation, and translation-which requires the greatest amount of energy to cause an excitation from the ground state to the first excited state?

A) vibration
B) rotation
C) translation
D) They all require the same amount of energy.
E) None, as quantized energy states do not apply to these motions.