A water molecule and a neutral carbon atom are initially 7.2 times 10^-6 m apart

Question

A water molecule and a neutral carbon atom are initially 7.2 times 10^-6 m apart (about 72,000 atomic diameters), and there are no other particle in the vicinity. The polarizability of carton atom has been measured to be alpha = 1.96 times 10 C middot m/(N/C). A water molecule has a permanent dipole moment whose magnitude is 6.2 times 10^-30 C middot m, which much larger than the induced dipole for this situation. Assume that the dipole moment of the water molecule points toward the carbon atom. (Also assume the carton atom is^12C.). Calculate the initial magnitude and decrease of the acceleration of the water molecule. Explain your steps Clearly. Pay particular attention to dearly defining your algebraic symbols. Don't put numbers into your calculation until the very end. If the water molecule and carbon atom were initially four times as far apart, how much smaller would the initial acceleration of the molecule be? (Enter the ratio of the magnitudes of the accelerations.)

Explanation / Answer

a) F = Eq = ma,

and p = (alpha)E,

so E = p/alpha

and F = (p*q/alpha) = ma,

so a = (p*q) / (alpha*m)

magnitude of the acceleration of the water molecule = (6.2 1030 * 1.6 * 10-19)/(1.96 1040 * 9.11 * 10-31)

                                                                                       = 5.55 * 1021 m/sec2

   direction = towards the carbon atom

b)

ratio of the magnitudes of the accelerations =   1/42

                                                                = 1/16

Related Questions

Navigate

• Browse (All)
• Browse A
• Subjects

---

---

Integrity-first tutoring: explanations and feedback only — we do not complete graded work. Learn more.