One description of the potential energy of a diatomic molecule is given by the Lennard-Jones potential,

U =

A

r¹²

B

r⁶

,

where A and B are constants and r is the separation distance between the atoms. For the H₂ molecule, take

A = 0.128 10¹²⁰ eV m¹²

and

B = 1.494 10⁶⁰ eV m⁶.

(a) Find the separation distance r₀ at which the energy of the molecule is a minimum. (Give you answer to at least two decimal places.)

(b) Find the energy E required to break up the H₂ molecule.