Different kinds of Kinetic energy

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on the different types of kinetic energy (KE) relevant to thermodynamics, specifically translational, rotational, and vibrational kinetic energy. Translational kinetic energy refers to the energy of molecules moving from one location to another, while rotational kinetic energy pertains to the energy due to the rotational motion of molecules. The conversation also touches on the relationship between average kinetic energy and internal energy, specifically the equation \(\frac{3}{2}k_{b}T\), which represents the average kinetic energy per molecule in a gas. Additionally, participants seek clarity on concepts such as molar mass and the interchangeability of kinetic energy, potential energy, and work.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of thermodynamics principles
  • Familiarity with kinetic energy types: translational, rotational, vibrational
  • Knowledge of the ideal gas law and molecular behavior
  • Basic grasp of equations involving molar mass and energy
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the concept of translational kinetic energy in detail
  • Study the relationship between internal energy and average kinetic energy in gases
  • Learn about the ideal gas law and its implications for molecular motion
  • Explore the definitions and calculations of molar mass and its significance in thermodynamics
USEFUL FOR

Students studying thermodynamics, physics enthusiasts, and anyone seeking to understand the principles of kinetic energy and molecular motion in gases.

AznBoi
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I'm studying thermodynamics and I've come across different types of KE's in the motion of molecules within gases. What is "translational kinetic energy?" Is "rotational kinetic energy" just the rotational movement of the molecules?
 
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"Kinetic energy is the energy of motion. An object which has motion - whether it be vertical or horizontal motion - has kinetic energy. There are many forms of kinetic energy - vibrational (the energy due to vibrational motion), rotational (the energy due to rotational motion), and translational (the energy due to motion from one location to another)."

You can find that information anywhere on the internet. Just search Google.
 
husky88 said:
"Kinetic energy is the energy of motion. An object which has motion - whether it be vertical or horizontal motion - has kinetic energy. There are many forms of kinetic energy - vibrational (the energy due to vibrational motion), rotational (the energy due to rotational motion), and translational (the energy due to motion from one location to another)."

You can find that information anywhere on the internet. Just search Google.

oh okay. I just didn't know what the word "translational" meant. Also, are the internal energy and avg KE both equal to: \frac{3}{2}k_{b}T?? Is this true because the internal energy is basically all of the KE and PE's of molecules within the system? I'm referring to the avg KE and internal energy per molecule and not the total KE and internal energy
 
I'm kind of getting confused on moles, molecules, molar mass, mass of the molecules. Does anyone mind making these terms more clearer to me? I can only figure their meanings through equations and even if I do I still don't know their real meanings.

n=\frac{N}{N_{A}} \qquad m*N_{A}=M

I especially don't get the molar mass equation, here is what I did to somewhat get a sense of the meanings:

[\frac{mass}{#molecules}*\frac{#molecules}{mole}=\frac{mass}{mole}]

m is the mass of all of the molecules correct? Which would also be equal to the total weight of the gas??
 
I'm reading my text and it seems like KE=\Delta U=W can these three variables be used interchangably but not conceptually? I keep getting mixed up with these three and would like to know if they are always equal to each other. I know that U relates to the microscopic molecular energies of the system so their units are all the same but..
 

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