Problem: The potential energy between two identical atoms has the form U(x) = A / x 10 − B / x5 where x is the separation distance between the atoms and A and B are constants with appropriate units. The two atoms, initially very far apart, are released from rest. What is the maximum kinetic energy that each of the two atoms can have? 1. Kmax = (A2 / 2B) 2. Kmax = (B2 / 4A) 3. Kmax = (A2 / 8B) 4. Kmax = (A / 4) 5. Kmax = (B2 / 2A) 6. Kmax = 0 7. Kmax = (B / 8) 8. Kmax = (B2 / 8A) 9. Kmax = (A2 / 4B) 10. Kmax = (B)

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Problem Details

The potential energy between two identical atoms has the form U(x) = A / x 10 − B / x5 where x is the separation distance between the atoms and A and B are constants with appropriate units. The two atoms, initially very far apart, are released from rest. What is the maximum kinetic energy that each of the two atoms can have?

1. Kmax = (A2 / 2B)

2. Kmax = (B2 / 4A)

3. Kmax = (A2 / 8B)

4. Kmax = (A / 4)

5. Kmax = (B2 / 2A)

6. Kmax = 0

7. Kmax = (B / 8)

8. Kmax = (B2 / 8A)

9. Kmax = (A2 / 4B)

10. Kmax = (B)