Question:

The potential energy curve for the \(\mathrm{H_2}\) molecule as a function of internuclear distance is :

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The curve must fall to a minimum at the equilibrium bond length (74 pm), rise steeply at shorter distance (repulsion) and level off at larger distance (separated atoms).
Updated On: Nov 5, 2026
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The Correct Option is C

Solution and Explanation

As two H atoms approach, attraction lowers the energy until a minimum is reached at the bond length (about 74 pm; the depth of the well is the bond energy).
At shorter distances nucleus-nucleus and electron-electron repulsion makes the energy rise steeply; at very large distances the energy tends to a constant value (two separated H atoms).
Only the curve with a well (steep rise at small r, minimum, gentle rise to a plateau) shows this: option (3).
Option (1) has no minimum (purely decreasing), option (2) is purely increasing, and option (4) has a maximum rather than a minimum.
Answer: (3) the curve with a minimum
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