# In the Hcl Molecule, the Separation Between the Nuclei of the Two Atoms is About 1.27 å (1 å = 10–10 M). Find the Approximate Location of the Cm of the Molecule, Given that a Chlorine Atom is About 35.5 Times as Massive as a Hydrogen Atom and Nearly All the Mass of an Atom is Concentrated in Its Nucleus - Physics

In the HCl molecule, the separation between the nuclei of the two atoms is about 1.27 Å (1 Å = 10–10 m). Find the approximate location of the CM of the molecule, given that a chlorine atom is about 35.5 times as massive as a hydrogen atom and nearly all the mass of an atom is concentrated in its nucleus

#### Solution 1

The given situation can be shown as:

Distance between H and Cl atoms = 1.27Å

Mass of H atom = m

Mass of Cl atom = 35.5m

Let the centre of mass of the system lie at a distance x from the Cl atom.

Distance of the centre of mass from the H atom = (1.27 – x)

Let us assume that the centre of mass of the given molecule lies at the origin. Therefore, we can have:

(m(1.27 - x) + 35.5 mx)/(m+35.5m) = 0

m(1.27 - x) = -35.5x

:.x = -1.27/(35.5 - 1) = - 0.037 Å

Here, the negative sign indicates that the centre of mass lies at the left of the molecule. Hence, the centre of mass of the HCl molecule lies 0.037Å from the Cl atom.

#### Solution 2

Let us choose the nucleus of the hydrogen atom as the origin for measuring distance. Mass of hydrogen atom,m1= 1 unit (say) Since chlorine atom is 35.5 times as massive as hydrogen atom,

∴mass of the cholorine atom, m2 = 35.5 units

Now, x_1 = 0 " and " x_2 = 1.27 Å = 1.27 xx 10^(-10) m

Distance of centre of mass of HCL molecule from the origin is given by

X = (m_1x_1+m_2x_2)/(m_1+m_2) = (1xx0+ 35.5 xx 1.27 xx 10^(-10))/(1+35.5) m

= (35.5 xx 1.27)/36.5 xx 10^(-10) m =        1.235 xx 10^(-10) m = 1.235 Å

Concept: Equilibrium of Rigid Body
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#### APPEARS IN

NCERT Class 11 Physics
Chapter 7 System of Particles and Rotational Motion
Exercises | Q 2 | Page 178