2 slow moving hydrogen atoms - distance to start interaction

[Buckeye]

At what distance do 2 hydrogen atoms (not ions) begin to attract each other?

No, this is not a homework question. I am 58.

 

[alxm]

Well, in theory there's no distance where that begins or ends; they attract at all distances since the electromagnetic force works at all distances.
But the attraction drops off rapidly; in proportion to 1/r^6, where r is the distance.

 

[Buckeye]

Guess I should have specified at what distance would acceleration be observed?
I'm assuming the 2 hydrogen atoms will form a molecule at the end of the cycle.

 

[Vanadium 50]

That depends on how small an acceleration you can measure.

 

[Buckeye]

That depends on how small an acceleration you can measure.

Not sure. How about 1 m/s^2

 

[edguy99]

Well, in theory there's no distance where that begins or ends; they attract at all distances since the electromagnetic force works at all distances.
But the attraction drops off rapidly; in proportion to 1/r^6, where r is the distance.

Do you know any online references for the 1/r^6 calculation? Thanks