The distance between the two atoms in a diatomic molecule O_(2)is 1.21 xx 10^(-10) m. The mass of each oxygen atom is 2.66 xx 10^(-26)kg. Treating the atoms as point masses find the m moment of inertia of the molecule about an axis passing perpendicular to the line joining the centres of the atoms.

The distance between the two atoms in a diatomic molecule O_(2)is 1.21

1.	The distance between the two atoms in a diatomic molecule O_(2)is 1.21 xx 10^(-10) m. The mass of each oxygen atom is 2.66 xx 10^(-26)kg. Treating the atoms as point masses find the m moment of inertia of the molecule about an axis passing perpendicular to the line joining the centres of the atoms.
Answer» Solution :Let the distance between the two ATOMS be r. Mass of each atom, `m=2.66 XX 10^(-26)` kg `r = 1.21 xx 10^(-10) m` M.I. of the two atoms about the axis AB `=m(r/2)^(2) + m(r/2)^(2) = 2 xx (mr^(2))/4 =1/2 mr^(2)` `=(2.66 xx 10^(-26) xx (1.21 xx 10^(-10))^(2))/2` `=1.95 xx 10^(-46) kg m^(2)`