Equipartitional Energy: Law Explained

  • Thread starter Thread starter alchemist
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Energy
AI Thread Summary
The law of equipartition of energy states that in thermodynamic equilibrium, the average energy per degree of freedom is 1/2kT, where k is Boltzmann's constant. This principle applies to systems like monatomic gases, where each atom has three translational degrees of freedom, resulting in an average energy of 3/2kT per atom. The law highlights the distribution of energy among the various degrees of freedom in a system. It is a fundamental concept in both thermodynamics and kinetic theory. Understanding this law is crucial for analyzing the behavior of gases and other systems in thermal equilibrium.
alchemist
Messages
50
Reaction score
0
what does the 'law of quipartitional energy' says?? what is it all about?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
alchemist said:
what does the 'law of quipartitional energy' says?? what is it all about?
It comes from thermodynamics and kinetic theory. The law of equipartion of energy says that when molecules are in equilibrium the average energy associated with each degree of freedom is 1/2kT (k is Boltzmann's constant).

As an example take a monatomic gas. All it's atoms can do is translate (no rotational or vibrational modes), so the average energy per atom is 3/2kT, since there are three translational degrees of freedom.
 

Thread 'Need help understanding particle physics and quantum physics'

So I know that electrons are fundamental, there's no 'material' that makes them up, it's like talking about a colour itself rather than a car or a flower. Now protons and neutrons and quarks and whatever other stuff is there fundamentally, I want someone to kind of teach me these, I have a lot of questions that books might not give the answer in the way I understand. Thanks
View full post »

Similar threads

A Beyond the energy equipartition, what is the uneven partitioning?
Replies
13
Views
1K
I How can magnetic fields contain energy?
Replies
17
Views
2K
I Mechanism of Energy Conservation in Zero-Amplitude Sum of EM Waveforms
Replies
12
Views
701
B Can conservation laws take time to obey?
Replies
1
Views
778
B Does energy exist?
Replies
28
Views
3K
I Understanding Internal Energy: Kinetic Theory and the Law of Equipartition
Replies
15
Views
2K
I Questions about deriving generic equations/laws from specific equations/laws
Replies
0
Views
2K
B I have a question regarding temperature and the kinetic energy of molecules
Replies
3
Views
2K
A Can someone explain this statement on luminous transmittance?
Replies
9
Views
2K
I Changing or breaking the most fundamental laws and symmetries?
Replies
1
Views
3K

Hot Threads

Recent Insights

Back
Top