In the HCl molecule, the separation between the nuclei of two atoms is about 1.27 A (1 A = 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.

In the HCl molecule, the separation between the nuclei of two atoms is

1.	In the HCl molecule, the separation between the nuclei of two atoms is about 1.27 A (1 A = 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.
Answer» Solution :HYDROGEN ATOM is assumed to be at the origin `x_(1) = 0, m _(1)=m, x_(2) = 1.27A` `=1.27 XX 10^(-10) m` `m_(2) = 35.5` m The POSITION of centre of mass `x=(m_(1)x_(1) + m_(2)x_(2))/(m_(1) + m_(2)) = (m xx 0 + 35.5 m xx 1.27 xx 10^(-10))/(m + 35.5 m)` `=(45.08 xx 10^(-10)m)/(36.5 m) = (45.08 xx 10^(-10))/(36.5) = (45.08 xx 10^(-10))/(36.5)` `=1.24 xx 10^(-10)` m