[rfaraday]

Covalent bonds are often approximated by the harmomic potential
V_bond= V^o_bond + k_bond (r-r_o)²
I have to prove that

dv_bond/dr =0  for r=r₀
dv_bond/dr < 0 for r<r₀
anddv_bond/dr > 0 for r> r₀

The derviative is force. So this makes sense. When r = r₀ force should be ) b/c it is a minima. Is the question just asking me to take the derviative of the equation given. How would I do that when the different r's are inserted

Thanks

[Yggdrasil]

Step 1: Take the derivative of V_bond(r) with respect to r to obtain an expression for V'_bond(r).

Step 2:  Find the sign of V'_bond(r) for the indicated values by plugging in values of r into your expression for V'_bond(r).