•• The potential energy of two atoms that form a stable molecule has a minimum at a separation R0, as shown in Fig. 12.23. Consider two atoms with total kinetic energy K0 approaching one another from far apart. (a) What will be their KE when they reach the equilibrium separation R = R0? (b) At what point in the picture will the atoms come to rest? Will they remain there? (c) Assuming that the total energy remains entirely in the form KE + PE of the two atoms, can the two atoms come to rest at R0? What value must R eventually approach? (d) We see that if the atoms are to form a stable molecule, some of their energy must be dissipated while they are near R0. Suggest a mechanism to do this.
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