Potential energy — UPSC Physics Optional CSE 1998 Paper I

The two atoms is a molecule of a gas interact according to the potential \phi(r) = \frac{A}{r^6} + \frac{B}{r^{12}} r being the separation distance between the two atoms. Determine A and B if the potential energy \phi(r) = \phi(r_0) at the equilibrium separation r = r_0.