Question

g The potential energy of a pair of hydrogen atoms separated by a large distance x is given by U(x)=−C6/x6, where C6 is a positive constant. Part A What is the force that one atom exerts on the other? Express your answer in terms of C6 and x. Fx = nothing Request Answer Part B Is this force attractive or repulsive? Is this force attractive or repulsive? attractive repulsive

Answer 1

`F_x = -(6 C_6)/(2^7)`

Attractive

Step-by-step explanation:

Data provided in the question

The potential energy of a pair of hydrogen atoms given by
`(C_6)/(X_6)`

Based on the given information, the force that one atom exerts on the other is

Potential energy μ =
`(C_6)/(X_6)`

Force exerted by one atom upon another

`F_x = (\partial U)/(\partial X) = (\partial)/(\partial X) (-(C_6)/(X^6))`

or

`F_x = (\partial)/(\partial X) ((C_6)/(X^6))`

or

`F_x = -(6 C_6)/(2^7)`

As we can see that the
`C_6` comes in positive and constant which represents that the force is negative that means the force is attractive in nature