Does Equipartition of Energy Mean K is Proportional to D and T?

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SUMMARY

Equipartition of energy states that each degree of freedom contributes an amount of kinetic energy (K) equal to (1/2)(k_b)T, where k_b is the Boltzmann constant and T is the temperature. The equation K = (D/2)(k_b)T is correct, indicating that K is directly proportional to both the number of degrees of freedom (D) and the temperature (T). This means that at the same temperature, molecules with more degrees of freedom will possess greater energy, leading to different K values despite identical temperatures.

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Equipartition of energy states that each degree of freedom contributes an amount of K to each molecule equal to (1/2)(k_b)T.

I wrote:
K = (D/2)(k_b) T, where D is the number of degrees of freedom.

Is this correct? Because if it is, then does it mean that K is proportional to both D and T?

In other words, for two cases where Temperature is the same, the value of D dictates its temperature.

Thank you.

//edit
Well actually, I'm more concerned with the fact that according to that equation, two objects can have the same temperature and yet, a different K value; because of a different D.

Lemme know if you don't understand; I'll try rewording.
 
Last edited:
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Kenny,

I think that you are exactly right. For a given temperature, molecules with 6 degrees of freedom would have twice as much energy as those with just 3 degrees of freedom, on average.

Best Regards,
Walter
 
thats strange.
Thanks.
 

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