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Kinetic energy of a system of two atoms from a graph of their potential energy curve |
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| Oct4-11, 09:34 PM | #1 |
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Kinetic energy of a system of two atoms from a graph of their potential energy curve
1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data
The figure shows a potential energy curve for the interaction of two neutral atoms. The two-atom system is in a vibrational state indicated by the heavy solid 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? K = U = -1.3 eV K+U = 2. Relevant equations U=0.5*Ks^2 3. The attempt at a solution I can't for the life of me figure out how to find K, I feel like it should be really easy, but I'm at a loss of where to start. If anyone could give me jumping off point at least I'd be very grateful. Thanks |
| Oct4-11, 10:02 PM | #2 |
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After taking a short break, I figured it out, and it was massively simple.
I'll post the answer here so that anyone else Googling in the future can find it. K=1.1 U=-1.3 and K+U = -0.2 since they are inversely proportional, their sum must equal the vibration state. |
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