A helium-neon laser induced fluorescence study of iodine, which has been used for many years in the University of Rochester's physical chemistry teaching laboratory, is described. The wavelength analyzed fluorescence spectrum provides accurate values of
spectroscopic properties for the ground state electronic configuration of I2. From these spectroscopic properties students calculate the bond length, harmonic oscillator force constant, and a Birge-Sponer estimate of the bond dissociation energy. The apparatus is relatively inexpensive, easy to set up, and directly parallels standard research methods.
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