Which of the following graphs correctly shows the relationship between potential energy and internuclear separation for two hydrogen atoms

A common relation between potential energy and internuclear distance when stated, is applicable to the ground states of diatomic and polyatomic molecules.

The potential energy of two separate hydrogen atoms often becomes lower as they approach each other, and the single electrons on each atom are shared to form a covalent bond.

The bond length is regarded as the internuclear distance where the lowest potential energy is gotten. The strong attraction of each shared electron often stabilizes the system.

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D

Explanation:

The potential energy curve of a system of atoms define the potential energy of the atoms with respect to the inter-nuclear separation. The minimum point of the curve represents the equilibrium bond length of the bond.

The energy of the system depends on the distance between the two interacting atoms.

Looking at the potential energy curve for hydrogen molecule in option D, we can assert that a chemical bond indeed exists between the two atoms of hydrogen and the minimum point of the curve is the equilibrium bond length of the bond.