rotational v vibrational energy

[hannahdaijo_4H]

What exactly is the difference between rotational and vibrational energy? If a molecule has one does it also always have the other?

[Schuyler_Howell_4D]

Rotational would be around an axis, think of it making a circle. Vibrational is just back and forth on one axis, think of walking back and forth on a line.

[Amar Singh]

At room temperature, vibrational energy is negligible. It is the energy of the atoms vibrating in the bonds. Rotational energy is more like the molecule rotating around an axis.

[Pritish Patil 1K]

Rotational energy is around an axis while vibrational is simply moving back and forth on one axis.

[Aiden Atoori 1C]

Rotational energy refers to the movement around an axis while vibrational refers to moving back and forth on one axis.

[Roberto Gonzalez 1L]

Vibrational energy is the energy that arises from atoms moving along a axis (ie: within a bond). Rotational energy is the energy that arises from a molecule rotating around an axis (can be thought of as a molecules ability to rotate about its position)