Consider two hydrogen atoms, isolated from all other objects and influences in deep space. The two atoms are exactly r = 1 m apart from each other. Atom A is motionless, while atom B is moving away from it at v = 1 m/s. Q: What will happen to these two atoms? K = 0 J + (1/2) * (1.67 x 10^(-27) kg) * (1 m/s)^2 = 8.35 x 10^(-27) J (6.67 x 10^(-11) N*m^2/kg^2) * 1.67 x 10^(-27) kg)^2 U = - ---------------------------------------------------- 1 m = - 1.86 x 10^(-64) J The virial quantity is 2 K + U > 0 so the system is unbound. The two atoms will continue to move away from each other forever.