The potential energy of a diatomic molecule (a two-atom system like H, or O2) is given...

 

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The potential energy of a diatomic molecule (a two-atom system like H, or O2) is given by A U = В p12 where r is the separation of the two atoms of the molecule and A and B are positive constants. This potential energy is associated with the force that binds the two atoms together. (a) Find the equilib- rium separation-that is, the distance between the atoms at which the force on each atom is zero. Is the force repulsive (the atoms are pushed apart) or attractive (they are pulled together) if their separa- tion is (b) smaller and (c) larger than the equilibrium separation? The potential energy of a diatomic molecule (a two-atom system like H, or O2) is given by A U = В p12 where r is the separation of the two atoms of the molecule and A and B are positive constants. This potential energy is associated with the force that binds the two atoms together. (a) Find the equilib- rium separation-that is, the distance between the atoms at which the force on each atom is zero. Is the force repulsive (the atoms are pushed apart) or attractive (they are pulled together) if their separa- tion is (b) smaller and (c) larger than the equilibrium separation?