Degrees of freedom in a molecule

AI Thread Summary
The discussion revolves around understanding the degrees of freedom in a linear molecule, specifically addressing the calculation of vibrational modes. It clarifies that a two-atomic molecule has a single vibrational mode but possesses two degrees of freedom due to kinetic and potential energy associated with that mode. For an N-atomic molecule, the total degrees of freedom are calculated as 3N, with 3 for translation and 2 for rotation in linear molecules, leaving 3N-5 or 3N-6 for vibrations. The participants emphasize that while there is one vibrational mode, the motion of the atoms relative to each other contributes to the overall energy states. The conversation highlights the distinction between vibrational modes and the degrees of freedom associated with them.
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Homework Statement
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Relevant Equations
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I am not understand the solution of the letter b and c given by the author.
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Since Cv = NfK/2, we have Cv/N = fK/2. Now, the degree of freedom of a N linear molecule is 3(trans) + 2(rot) + x, where x is the degree of freedom due the vibrational motion. I am having trouble to calc x, could you help me?
 
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Herculi said:
Homework Statement:: .
Relevant Equations:: .

View attachment 273247
I am not understand the solution of the letter b and c given by the author.

Since Cv = NfK/2, we have Cv/N = fK/2. Now, the degree of freedom of a N linear molecule is 3(trans) + 2(rot) + x, where x is the degree of freedom due the vibrational motion. I am having trouble to calc x, could you help me?
What kind of energies belong to a single vibration?
 
ehild said:
What kind of energies belong to a single vibration?
The kinetic energy due to the vibration and the potential stored (as in kx²/2)
 
Herculi said:
The kinetic energy due to the vibration and the potential stored (as in kx²/2)
Good! A two-atomic molecle has a single vibrational mode. When performig that motion, the molecule has both kinetic and potential energy. If you want to specify thevibrational state of the molecule, you have to give both the velocity and the phase of the vibrationThese are two degrees of freedom for each vibrational mode.
How many vibration modes has an N-atomic molecule?
 
ehild said:
Good! A two-atomic molecle has a single vibrational mode. When performig that motion, the molecule has both kinetic and potential energy. If you want to specify thevibrational state of the molecule, you have to give both the velocity and the phase of the vibrationThese are two degrees of freedom for each vibrational mode.
How many vibration modes has an N-atomic molecule?
"A two-atomic molecle has a single vibrational mode. " That's what i don't understand, two particles connected by a spring, as a model for a molecule, do not have two degree of freedom? So two vibrational mode which gives us 4 types of energy? The kinect and energy stored in one mode and in another mode.
 
Herculi said:
"A two-atomic molecle has a single vibrational mode. " That's what i don't understand, two particles connected by a spring, as a model for a molecule, do not have two degree of freedom? So two vibrational mode which gives us 4 types of energy? The kinect and energy stored in one mode and in another mode.
Two particles conneted by a spring corresponds to a single oscillator, a single vibrational mode, but it has two degrees of vibrational freedom,.
A molecule of N atoms can perform 3N independent motions. From these , 3 are translations of the whole molecule: and 3 are rotations of the whole molecule. When the molecule is linear, it performs 2 indepemdent rotations. The other 3N-6 (3N-5) motions are vibrations. A translating or rotating molecule has only kinetic energy, 1/2 kT for each degree of freedom. Each of the 3N-6 (3N-5) vibrational modes have kT average energy.
Both atoms iof a two-wtomic molecule can move in the x, y, z directionsthat makes 6 different motions. From these, 3 motions are the same for both atoms,they are translations The moleculée can also rotate about two perpendicular axes . The translating or rotating molecule is rigid, it does not change shape. And there is a single motion, when the atoms move relative to each other: it is vibration.
 
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