The following plot shows the potential energy of two Cl atoms as a function of the distance between them.
(a) To what does energy of zero correspond in this diagram?
(b) According to the valence-bond model, why does the energy decrease as the Cl atoms move from a large separation to a smaller one?
(c) What is the significance of the Cl¬Cl distance at the minimum point in the plot?
(d) Why does the energy rise at Cl¬Cl distances less than that at the minimum point in the plot?
(e) How can you estimate the bond strength of the Cl¬Cl bond from the plot?

Transcribed Image Text:

Dumas bulb filled with vaporized unknown substance Boiling water