The two strands of the helix-shap
(8p6 sbs4i ww j8qru7qed DNA molecule are held together by electrostatic forces as shown in Fig. 16–44. Assume that the net ave
si8(p4w6 q8r wqsu7jbrage charge (due to electron sharing) indicated on H and N atoms is 0.2e and on the indicated C and O atoms is 0.4e. Assume also that atoms on each molecule are separated by $ 1.0\times10^{ -10}\,m$. Estimate the net force between
(a) a thymine and an adenine;
$ \times10^{-10 }\,N$
(b) a cytosine and a guanine. For each bond (red dots) consider only the three atoms in a line (two atoms on one molecule, one atom on the other).
$ \times10^{-10 }\,N$
(c) Estimate the total force for a DNA molecule containing $10^5$ pairs of such molecules.
$ \times10^{-5 }\,N$