Consider Two Adjacent Water Molecules in an Ice Crystal

Multiple Choice

Consider two adjacent water molecules in an ice crystal. Assume that the binding energy connecting them follows a Lennard-Jones potential with a potential well depth of 9.6x10-21 J, and the equilibrium atomic spacing is 3.196x10-10 m. One of the molecules is pulled outwards to a position 10% further out than the equilibrium position and then released from rest. What is its initial acceleration? Assume that the other molecule is fixed in position, and that the mass of a water molecule is 2.99x10-26 kg.

A) 2.7x10=15 m s-2.
B) 1.3x10-12 m s-2.
C) 2.7 m s-2.
D) 1.3x1012 m s-2.
E) 2.7x1015 m s-1.