At normal temperatures and pressures, hydrogen gas is composed of H2H2 molecules. An energy diagram for a hydrogen molecule appears in figure 1. What energy photon is needed to dissociate a molecule of H2H2?

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At normal temperatures and pressures, hydrogen gas is composed of H2H2 molecules. An energy diagram for a hydrogen molecule appears in figure 1. What energy photon is needed to dissociate a molecule of H2H2?

**Graph Analysis: Potential Energy Curve**

The graph depicted illustrates a potential energy curve with the y-axis labeled as "Energy (× 10⁻¹⁹ J)" and the x-axis labeled as "x (nm)."

### Key Characteristics:

1. **Units:**
   - The energy values on the y-axis are specified in units of 10⁻¹⁹ Joules.
   - The position (x) values on the x-axis are given in nanometers (nm).

2. **Curve Shape:**
   - At \( x = 0 \, \text{nm} \), the energy is at its highest point, approximately 19 × 10⁻¹⁹ Joules.
   - As \( x \) increases from 0 to around 0.1 nm, the energy rapidly decreases, reaching a minimum value of approximately 2 × 10⁻¹⁹ Joules.
   - Beyond \( x = 0.1 \, \text{nm} \), the energy gradually increases again, leveling off at around 8 × 10⁻¹⁹ Joules when \( x \) approaches 0.3 nm.

### Interpretation:

This curve is typical of a potential energy curve, which could represent various physical phenomena such as interatomic potentials, molecular bonding interactions, or other scenarios where energy varies with distance. The initial high energy at \( x = 0 \, \text{nm} \) indicates a strong repulsive force when two objects (e.g., atoms, molecules) are very close together. As the distance increases, the energy reaches a minimum, suggesting a stable equilibrium position where attractive forces are balanced by repulsive forces. Beyond this point, the energy increases again, indicating that moving further apart requires additional energy input.

### Educational Context:

Such a potential energy curve can be useful in teaching concepts related to:
- Molecular and atomic interactions and bonds.
- Potential energy functions in physics and chemistry.
- Equilibrium position and stability in various systems.
- Mathematical modeling of physical phenomena.

Understanding these curves helps in comprehending the forces at play at microscopic and macroscopic scales and provides insights into the behavior of various systems in nature.
Transcribed Image Text:**Graph Analysis: Potential Energy Curve** The graph depicted illustrates a potential energy curve with the y-axis labeled as "Energy (× 10⁻¹⁹ J)" and the x-axis labeled as "x (nm)." ### Key Characteristics: 1. **Units:** - The energy values on the y-axis are specified in units of 10⁻¹⁹ Joules. - The position (x) values on the x-axis are given in nanometers (nm). 2. **Curve Shape:** - At \( x = 0 \, \text{nm} \), the energy is at its highest point, approximately 19 × 10⁻¹⁹ Joules. - As \( x \) increases from 0 to around 0.1 nm, the energy rapidly decreases, reaching a minimum value of approximately 2 × 10⁻¹⁹ Joules. - Beyond \( x = 0.1 \, \text{nm} \), the energy gradually increases again, leveling off at around 8 × 10⁻¹⁹ Joules when \( x \) approaches 0.3 nm. ### Interpretation: This curve is typical of a potential energy curve, which could represent various physical phenomena such as interatomic potentials, molecular bonding interactions, or other scenarios where energy varies with distance. The initial high energy at \( x = 0 \, \text{nm} \) indicates a strong repulsive force when two objects (e.g., atoms, molecules) are very close together. As the distance increases, the energy reaches a minimum, suggesting a stable equilibrium position where attractive forces are balanced by repulsive forces. Beyond this point, the energy increases again, indicating that moving further apart requires additional energy input. ### Educational Context: Such a potential energy curve can be useful in teaching concepts related to: - Molecular and atomic interactions and bonds. - Potential energy functions in physics and chemistry. - Equilibrium position and stability in various systems. - Mathematical modeling of physical phenomena. Understanding these curves helps in comprehending the forces at play at microscopic and macroscopic scales and provides insights into the behavior of various systems in nature.
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