Figure 7.57 is a potential energy curve for the interaction of two neutral atoms. The two-atom system is in a vibrational state indicated by the heavy black horizontal line. (a) At r = r1, what are...

Figure 7.57 is a potential energy curve for the interaction of two neutral atoms. The two-atom system is in a vibrational state

indicated by the heavy black horizontal line.

(a) At r = r1, what are the approximate values of the kinetic energy K, the potential energy U, and the quantity K + U?

(b) What minimum energy must be supplied to cause these two atoms to separate?

(c) In some cases, when r is large, the interatomic potential energy can be expressed approximately as U = −a/r6. For

large r, what is the algebraic form of the magnitude of the force the two atoms exert on each other in this case?