 Rotational constant

In this article the rotational constant is a frequency,Its dimensions are ${\mathrm{s}}^{-1}$, since the Planck constant has dimensions $\mathrm{kg}{\mathrm{m}}^2{\mathrm{s}}^{-1}$ and a moment of inertia has dimensions $\mathrm{kg}{\mathrm{m}}^2$. Some authors instead call $hB={\hslash }^2/(2I)$ the energy-valued rotational constant; this is the convention in the earlier synthetic molecular beam electric resonance diagram. A third convention uses the spectroscopic wavenumber $\tilde{B}=B/c$, with $c$ the speed of light. Always check units before using $\nu =2B(J+1)$.

If $B$ is known and the two masses are specified, the rigid two-atom model gives the bond length $r=\sqrt{h/(8{\pi }^2\mu B)}$. This is why rotational spectroscopy can constrain molecular geometry. A real fitted constant can depend on molecular vibration, so this inference alone does not establish an equilibrium bond length.