Academic Integrity: tutoring, explanations, and feedback — we don’t complete graded work or submit on a student’s behalf.

The mass of a carbon atom is 2.0×1026kg. a) What is the kinetic energy of a carb

ID: 1424508 • Letter: T

Question

The mass of a carbon atom is 2.0×1026kg.

a)

What is the kinetic energy of a carbon atom moving with a speed of 510 m/s ?

Express your answer to two significant figures and include the appropriate units.

b)

Two carbon atoms are joined by a spring-like carbon-carbon bond. The potential energy stored in the bond has the value you calculated in part A if the bond is stretched 0.050 nm. What is the bond's spring constant?

Express your answer to two significant figures and include the appropriate units.

Explanation / Answer

mass of carbon atom = 2.0*10^(-26) kg

speed = 510 m/s

a)

the kinetic energy of a carbon atom = (1/2)*mv^2

KE = 0.5*2.0*10^(-26)*(510)^2 = 2.6*10^(-21) J

b)

here given is

Potential Energy = Kinetic energy

0.5*kx^2 = KE

0.5*k*(0.05*10^(-9))^2 = 2.6*10^(-21)

k = 2.08 N/m {ANSWER}