Degrees of freedom of molecules
Molecular model of gases · Physics
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Question: Calculate the total internal energy of 2 moles of a diatomic gas (like Oxygen) at 300 K. Assume rotational degrees of freedom are active but vibrational ones are not. Solution: Step 1: Identify degrees of freedom (f). For a diatomic gas at normal temperatures, f = 5 (3 translational + 2 rotational). Step 2: Use the formula for internal energy: U = (f/2) * n * R * T. Step 3: Plug in values. f = 5, n = 2 moles, R = 8.314 J/(mol*K), T = 300 K. Step 4: Calculate. U = (5/2) * 2 * 8.314 * 300. U = 2.5 * 2 * 8.314 * 300. U = 5 * 8.314 * 300. U = 12471 Joules.