Degrees of freedom and RMS-speed of CO2?

Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the relationship between the root mean square (RMS) speed of gas particles and their degrees of freedom, specifically for carbon dioxide (CO2). The RMS speed formula for monatomic gases is established as vrms=sqrt(3kbT/m), while for diatomic gases, it is vrms=sqrt(5kbT/m), reflecting additional rotational degrees of freedom. The participant concludes that CO2, with 5 degrees of freedom (3 translational and 2 rotational), results in an RMS speed of approximately 530 m/s at 23°C. The discussion clarifies that the kinetic energy formula for CO2 does not directly translate to its speed due to the nature of degrees of freedom.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of kinetic theory of gases
  • Familiarity with the Boltzmann constant (kb)
  • Knowledge of degrees of freedom in molecular physics
  • Basic algebra for manipulating equations
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the implications of degrees of freedom on gas behavior
  • Learn about the kinetic energy equations for different types of gases
  • Explore the concept of translational vs. rotational motion in molecules
  • Investigate the effects of temperature on gas particle speed
USEFUL FOR

Students in introductory physics courses, educators teaching thermodynamics, and anyone interested in the molecular behavior of gases, particularly in relation to kinetic theory and degrees of freedom.

Thymo
Messages
8
Reaction score
0
Are the RMS-speed of gas particles related to degrees of freedom?

I give up! I must consult help no matter how embarrassing it is!
Any help is greeted with a big smile! :smile:

Does the formula for root mean square speed of particles in a gas (below) apply for all particles?

v_{rms}=sqrt{frac{3k_{b}T}{m}}

I understand that it's derived from the kinetic energy of monatomic gases:

1) E_{k}=\frac{3}{2}k_{b}T

2) \frac{1}{2}mv_{rms}^2=\frac{3}{2}k_{b}T

3) v_{rms}=\sqrt{\frac{3k_{b}T}{m}}

However, the formula of the kinetic energy of diatomic gases is (from Cappelen's "Rom Stoff Tid: Fysikk 1"):
E_{k}=\frac{5}{2}k_{b}T

Thus the RMS speed must be:

v_{rms}=\sqrt{\frac{5k_{b}T}{m}}

No?

Monatomic particles have three translational degrees of freedom, diatomic particles have three translational and two rotational (as they are linear and the rotation around the axis that pierces both particles are "freezed out"), oui?
Is this what is reflected in their formulas for kinetic energy?

The research and lack of sleep resulted in this conclusion:

v_{rms}=\sqrt{\frac{D_{f}k_{b}T}{m}}

Where D_{f} stand for degrees of freedom

So the RMS speed for carbon dioxide in 23\circC must be:
v_{rms}=\sqrt{\frac{5 \times\ 1.38\ \times\ 10^{-23} \ J \ K^{-1} \times\ 296K}{44 \times\ 1.66 \times\ 10^{-27} \ kg}}

5 degrees of freedom comprising three translational, two rotational (linear molecule) and 0 vibrational as they are negliguble at room temperature.

v_{rms}=530\frac{m}{s}=1900\frac{km}{h}

Now, I will be very happy for any feedback (link to a site or anything) on whether my reasoning or calculation is correct or wrong.

~~~~ Thymo :smile:

PS: This is not homework, I'm in first grade physics.
 
Last edited:
Physics news on Phys.org
Well, thanks a lot!

I posted the same question in norwegian at a Norwegian site, Realisten.com, and got two replies before this garbagee could produce ONE!

Hehe...

Anyways, I'm here to update about what I know now.

The speed of particles are always given by:
v_{rms}=\sqrt{\frac{3k_{b}T}{m}}

The "3" on the right side reflects the three translational degrees of freedom. It does not reflect the total degrees of freedom because speed is translational movement. The kinetic energy in the form of vibrational and rotational does not result in speed.

I still have a slight puzzle though.
If:
E_{k}=\frac{5}{2}k_{b}T
For CO2 particles.

Doesn't that imply that:
\frac{1}{2}mv^2=\frac{5}{2}k_{b}T
too?

But if we solve for v, we get:
v=\sqrt{\frac{5k_{b}T}{m}}

Which is wrong. So, is the E_{k} for CO2 different from the normal formula for E_{k}?

Any help is much appriciated! :smile:
 
Norway must be some country.

Your formula with the 5/2 is giving you the kinetic plus the rotational. I think you know that. The formula with the 3/2 will give you the "center-of-mass" kinetic energy, not counting anything else the molecule is doing.
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
3K
  • · Replies 30 ·
2
Replies
30
Views
3K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
2K
  • · Replies 32 ·
2
Replies
32
Views
3K
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 20 ·
Replies
20
Views
4K
  • · Replies 17 ·
Replies
17
Views
3K
Replies
3
Views
3K