The potential energy curve of two atoms bonding increases asymptotically as the separation distance goes to zero. Why? O Repulsive forces are at their minimum. O Repulsive forces are large due to overlapping electron clouds. O Forces are increasing when the attractive and repulsive forces add up. Forces are weak because the atoms are bonded strongly. Attractive forces are negligible.

Elements Of Electromagnetics
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**Understanding Potential Energy Curves in Atomic Bonding**

When two atoms bond, their potential energy curve, which depicts the energy of the system based on their separation distance, increases asymptotically as the separation distance approaches zero. This phenomenon arises due to the following reason:

- **Correct Answer:** *Forces are weak because the atoms are bonded strongly.*

This can be explained as follows:

1. **Repulsive Forces at Minimum:** This option is incorrect because if the atoms were very close, the repulsive forces due to electron clouds would be significant rather than minimal.

2. **Large Repulsive Forces due to Overlapping Electron Clouds:** While this is true when atoms are extremely close, it does not explain why the potential energy increases asymptotically.

3. **Increasing Attractive and Repulsive Forces:** This option suggests the sum of attractive and repulsive forces increases without specifically addressing the nature of the asymptotic increase in potential energy.

4. **Weak Forces due to Strong Bonding:** This option correctly identifies that when atoms are bonded very strongly, the forces acting between them become weaker because they have reached a low-energy, stable state. As the separation distance decreases further (moving towards zero separation), the energy required to overcome the strong electronic repulsion increases rapidly, leading to an asymptotic rise in the potential energy curve.

5. **Negligible Attractive Forces:** This is incorrect as attractive forces play a significant role in atomic bonding; they are not negligible.

**Explanation of Potential Energy Curve Graph:**

- **Graph Overview:** The graph of potential energy vs. separation distance typically features a well-shaped curve. The horizontal axis represents the separation distance between two atoms, while the vertical axis represents the potential energy.

- **Asymptotic Increase:** As atoms approach each other, the potential energy decreases initially, reaching a minimum point where the atoms are at their equilibrium bond length. If the separation decreases further, the potential energy increases sharply, forming a steep ascent on the graph. This depicts the strong repulsion between the electron clouds when atoms are extremely close together, leading to the asymptotic increase in potential energy.

Understanding these principles is crucial in the study of atomic interactions and molecular bonding in the realm of chemistry and physics.
Transcribed Image Text:**Understanding Potential Energy Curves in Atomic Bonding** When two atoms bond, their potential energy curve, which depicts the energy of the system based on their separation distance, increases asymptotically as the separation distance approaches zero. This phenomenon arises due to the following reason: - **Correct Answer:** *Forces are weak because the atoms are bonded strongly.* This can be explained as follows: 1. **Repulsive Forces at Minimum:** This option is incorrect because if the atoms were very close, the repulsive forces due to electron clouds would be significant rather than minimal. 2. **Large Repulsive Forces due to Overlapping Electron Clouds:** While this is true when atoms are extremely close, it does not explain why the potential energy increases asymptotically. 3. **Increasing Attractive and Repulsive Forces:** This option suggests the sum of attractive and repulsive forces increases without specifically addressing the nature of the asymptotic increase in potential energy. 4. **Weak Forces due to Strong Bonding:** This option correctly identifies that when atoms are bonded very strongly, the forces acting between them become weaker because they have reached a low-energy, stable state. As the separation distance decreases further (moving towards zero separation), the energy required to overcome the strong electronic repulsion increases rapidly, leading to an asymptotic rise in the potential energy curve. 5. **Negligible Attractive Forces:** This is incorrect as attractive forces play a significant role in atomic bonding; they are not negligible. **Explanation of Potential Energy Curve Graph:** - **Graph Overview:** The graph of potential energy vs. separation distance typically features a well-shaped curve. The horizontal axis represents the separation distance between two atoms, while the vertical axis represents the potential energy. - **Asymptotic Increase:** As atoms approach each other, the potential energy decreases initially, reaching a minimum point where the atoms are at their equilibrium bond length. If the separation decreases further, the potential energy increases sharply, forming a steep ascent on the graph. This depicts the strong repulsion between the electron clouds when atoms are extremely close together, leading to the asymptotic increase in potential energy. Understanding these principles is crucial in the study of atomic interactions and molecular bonding in the realm of chemistry and physics.
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