Question: The force, F, between two atoms depends on the distance r separating them. See Figure. A positive F represents a repulsive force; a negative F represents an attractive force.
(a) What happens to the force if the atoms start with r = a and are (i) Pulled slightly further apart? (ii) Pushed slightly closer together?
(b) The atoms are said to be in stable equilibrium if the force between them is zero and the atoms tend to return to the equilibrium after a minor disturbance. Does r = a represent a stable equilibrium? Explain.
