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mit_hacker
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[SOLVED] Translational Kinetic Energy
(Q) Find the average translational kinetic energy of nitrogen molecules at 1600K.
Translational KE per degree of freedom = 1/2kT.
Since Nitrogen molecules are diatomic, it has 5 degrees of freedom so KE = 5/2kT.
The problem is that this yields the wrong answer and the answer at the back of the book uses the formula 3/2kT. Can someone please explain to me why this is so?
Thank-you very much in advance.
Homework Statement
(Q) Find the average translational kinetic energy of nitrogen molecules at 1600K.
Homework Equations
Translational KE per degree of freedom = 1/2kT.
The Attempt at a Solution
Since Nitrogen molecules are diatomic, it has 5 degrees of freedom so KE = 5/2kT.
The problem is that this yields the wrong answer and the answer at the back of the book uses the formula 3/2kT. Can someone please explain to me why this is so?
Thank-you very much in advance.