Question

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

Answer:

The correct answer will be "$-\frac{6C_{6}}{x^{7}}$". The further explanation is given below.

Explanation:

The potential energy will be,

⇒  $U(x)= -\frac{C_{6}}{x^6}$

The expression of force will be,

⇒  $F=-\frac{dU(x)}{dx}$

⇒      $=-(C_{6}(-6)x^{-7})$

⇒      $=-\frac{6C_{6}}{x^{7}}$

Force seems to be appealing because the expression has been negative. It therefore means that the force or substance is acting laterally in on itself.