Bonding forces and energies

1 2017-CH-210
Hajra Aamir
2 BONDING FORCES AND ENERGIES

The principles of atomic bonding are best illustrated by considering the interaction between two
isolated atoms as they are brought into close proximity from an infinite separation. At large distances,
the interactions are negligible, but as the atoms approach, each exerts forces on the other. These forces
are of two types, attractive and repulsive, and the magnitude of each is a function of the separation or
interatomic distance . The origin of an attractive force FA depends on the particular type of bonding
that exists between the two atoms. The magnitude of the attractive force varies with the distance, as
represented schematically in Figure 2.8a. Ultimately, the outer electron shells of the two atoms begin
to overlap, and a strong repulsive force FR comes into play. The net force FN between the two atoms
is just the sum of both attractive and repulsive components; that is,

FN = FA+ FR
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Bonding forces and Energies

 The principles of atomic bonding are best illustrated by considering the interaction between two
isolated atoms as they are brought into close proximity from an infinite separation.
 At large distances, the interactions are negligible, but as the atoms approach, each exerts forces on
the other.
 Interatomic forces
1. Attractive forces
2. Repulsive forces
 The net force FN between the two atoms is just the sum of both attractive and repulsive
components; that is,
FN = FA+ FR
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 When FA and FR balance, or become equal, there is no net force; that is, Then a state of equilibrium exists.
 The centers of the two atoms will remain separated by the equilibrium spacing r0. For many atoms, r0 is
approximately 0.3 nm. Once in this position, the two atoms will counteract any attempt to separate them by an
attractive force, or to push them together by a repulsive action. Sometimes it is more convenient to work with the
potential energies between two atoms instead of forces.
 Mathematically, energy (E) and force (F) are related as
E=∫ F dr
or, for atomic systems,

in which EN, EA, and ER are respectively the net, attractive, and repulsive energies for two isolated and adjacent atoms.
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Figure 2.8 (a) The dependence of repulsive, attractive, and net forces on interatomic separation for
two isolated atoms. (b) The dependence of repulsive, attractive, and net potential energies on
interatomic separation for two isolated atoms.
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Bonding energy
 In assessing the performance of materials, it’s important to draw attention to the relationship
between material properties and structural elements.
 Finding the minimum of potential energy curve corresponds to the energy released when two ions
form a bond, Bonding energy.
 Bonding energy and shape of potential energy curve vs R varies from material to material.
 No. of material properties depends on E○, the curve shape and the bonding type.
 For example, materials having large bonding energies typically also have high melting
temperatures; at room temperature, solid substances are formed for large bonding energies,
whereas for small energies the gaseous state is favored; liquids prevail when the energies are of
intermediate magnitude.