The potential energy of two atoms in a diatomic molecule can be approximated by the Lennard- Jones potential U(r) = a/r¹² — b/r6, where r is the distance between the two atoms, and a and b are positive constants. a) Find the force F(r) on one of the atoms as a function of r. b) Find the equilibrium distance between the two atoms. Is this equilibrium stable? c) Suppose the distance between the two atoms is equal to the equilibrium distance found in part b). What minimum energy must be added to the molecule to break the two atoms apart? (This is called the dissociation energy of the molecule.)

University Physics Volume 1
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Author:William Moebs, Samuel J. Ling, Jeff Sanny
Publisher:William Moebs, Samuel J. Ling, Jeff Sanny
Chapter8: Potential Energy And Conservation Of Energy
Section: Chapter Questions
Problem 27P: The potential energy function for either one of the two atoms in a diatomic molecule is often...
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The potential energy of two atoms in a diatomic molecule can be approximated by the Lennard-
Jones potential U(r) = a/r¹² — b/r6, where r is the distance between the two atoms, and a and b
are positive constants.
a) Find the force F(r) on one of the atoms as a function of r.
b) Find the equilibrium distance between the two atoms. Is this equilibrium stable?
c) Suppose the distance between the two atoms is equal to the equilibrium distance found in part
b). What minimum energy must be added to the molecule to break the two atoms apart? (This
is called the dissociation energy of the molecule.)
Transcribed Image Text:The potential energy of two atoms in a diatomic molecule can be approximated by the Lennard- Jones potential U(r) = a/r¹² — b/r6, where r is the distance between the two atoms, and a and b are positive constants. a) Find the force F(r) on one of the atoms as a function of r. b) Find the equilibrium distance between the two atoms. Is this equilibrium stable? c) Suppose the distance between the two atoms is equal to the equilibrium distance found in part b). What minimum energy must be added to the molecule to break the two atoms apart? (This is called the dissociation energy of the molecule.)
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