Department of Physics

PHYS10000AA, AB, AC, Class year 106

General Physics I, Midterm Exam 1 solution

1. This problem is from Page 201 (Example 7.9) of text book.

(a) The separation of two atoms is where the potential is in its minimum. To find the
dU ( x) d   12  6    12 12 6 6 
minimum, we set  4 ( )  ( )  4   7 0
dx dx  x x   x
13
x 
d   12  6    12 12 6 6  1
dU ( x)
 4 ( )  ( )   4   7   0 , x  (2) 6 
dx dx  x x   x 13
x 

(b) Plug in numbers given, x=2.95×10-10 m

(c) The potential energy curve is shown in page 189 of the text book.
(d) When x= 4.5×10-10 m, the two atoms are subject to a restoration form to bring them
-10
together to the equilibrium point (x=2.95×10 m)
dU
(e) This can be proved by taking the first derivative of the potential, >0, this is
dx
the force of the two atoms at that point, so it is a restoration force to bring them
together.

2.

3.

General Physics I Midterm 1 (106-1). 11-02-2017

Dept. of Physics, NDHU. 1
4.

5.

6.

General Physics I Midterm 1 (106-1). 11-02-2017

Dept. of Physics, NDHU. 2