The potential energy of a diatomic molecule (like H 2 ) is given by where r is t

Question

The potential energy of a diatomic molecule (like H2) is given by         

        where r is the separation of the two atoms of the molecule and A and B are positive constants.        

The potential energy of a diatomic molecule (like H2) is given by U(r) = A/r12 - B/r6 where r is the separation of the two atoms of the molecule and A and B are positive constants. Find the equilibrium separation - distance between the atoms at equilibrium - in terms of A and B? Is the force repulsive or attractive if the separation is smaller than the equilibrium separation? If larger

Explanation / Answer

(1) Equilibrium is when U = 0

A/r^12 = B/r^6

r^6 = A/B

r = (A/B)^(1/6)

(2) If distance decreases, energy becomes positive. So, force is repulsive.

If distance increases, it is attractive...

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