The distance between the carbon atom and the oxygen atom in a carbon monoxide molecule is 1.1ËšA . Given mass of carbon atom is 12a.m.u. and mass of oxygen atom is 16a.m.u., calculate the position of the centre of mass of the carbon monoxide molecule
The distance of centre of mass from carbon atom is,
xcm=m1x1+m2x2m1+m2
=12×0+16×1.112+16
=0.63˚A
Thus, the centre of mass is 0.63˚A from carbon atom.