Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 25, 2026

Sample Preparation for Single Virion Atomic Force Microscopy and Super-resolution Fluorescence Imaging
Published on: January 2, 2014
Estimate of the vibrational frequencies of spherical virus particles
1Department of Physics and Astronomy, Tufts University, Medford, Massachusetts 02155, USA. ford@cosmos.phy.tufts.edu
Abstract:
The possible normal modes of vibration of a nearly spherical virus particle are discussed. Two simple models for the particle are treated, a liquid drop model and an elastic sphere model. Some estimates for the lowest vibrational frequency are given for each model. It is concluded that this frequency is likely to be of the order of a few GHz for particles with a radius of the order of 50 nm.
Related Concept Videos
IR Spectroscopy: Hooke's Law Approximation of Molecular Vibration
According to Hooke's law, the vibrational frequency is directly proportional to the...
IR Spectroscopy: Molecular Vibration Overview
Stretching vibrations are vibrational motions that occur along the bond line, changing the bond length or distance between two bonded atoms. They are further distinguished as symmetric or asymmetric. In symmetric stretching, the...
The de Broglie Wavelength
IR Spectrum Peak Splitting: Symmetric vs Asymmetric Vibrations
Size and Structure of Viral Genomes
Maxwell-Boltzmann Distribution: Problem Solving
This distribution function f(v) is defined by saying that the expected number N (v1,v2) of particles with speeds between v1 and v2 is given by

