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The equipartition theorem predicts the change in internal energy (∆U) and heat capacity (Cv) of gases based on the distribution of kinetic energy between their translational, rotational, and vibrational modes of motion. It states that each quadratic term in the energy equation contributes 1/2kT of energy on average. The number of vibrational modes is calculated as 3N-5 for linear molecules and 3N-6 for non-linear molecules, where N is the number of atoms. The theorem is used to predict the heat capacity of various molecules from the contributions of each type of motion, matching experimental values closely.

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Sachin Shekhawat
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27 views1 page

Equipart

The equipartition theorem predicts the change in internal energy (∆U) and heat capacity (Cv) of gases based on the distribution of kinetic energy between their translational, rotational, and vibrational modes of motion. It states that each quadratic term in the energy equation contributes 1/2kT of energy on average. The number of vibrational modes is calculated as 3N-5 for linear molecules and 3N-6 for non-linear molecules, where N is the number of atoms. The theorem is used to predict the heat capacity of various molecules from the contributions of each type of motion, matching experimental values closely.

Uploaded by

Sachin Shekhawat
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Equipartition Theorem

Goal Predict ∆U and Cv for gases


translation rotation vibration
z

y
x

kinetic only kinetic only kinetic and potential


p2 J2 p2 1 2
2m 2I 2m + 2 kx
∂U
monatomic gas experimental ∆U = 3/2 RT or Cv = ( ∂T )V = 3/2R
1/2 R for each quadratic term in the energy
Number of Vibrations: Linear Molecules

3N - 3 - 2 = 3N-5
total coordinates specify center rotation: linear
of mass molecules
Non-linear 3N – 6 vibrations

Heat Capacity Predictions from Equipartition, Cv.


Molecule translation rotation vibration total total – vib experiment experiment
Ar 3/2R 3/2R 3/2R 12.5 J/K 3/2R
N2 3/2R 2/2R 2/2R 7/2R 5/2R 20.8 5/2R
Cl2 3/2R 2/2R 2/2R 7/2R 5/2R 25.6 6/2R
O3 3/2R 3/2R 3(2/2R) 12/2R 6/2R 30.9 7.4/2R
H2O 3/2R 3/2R 3(2/2R) 12/2R 6/2R 25.3 6.1/2R

Colby College

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