Temperature due to translational energy of molecules?

In summary, temperature is a measure of the average translational kinetic energy of molecules in the center of mass frame of a system. The macroscopic movement of an object does not affect the random motion of its molecules, which is what temperature reflects.
  • #1
deepthishan
38
0
Hi there,

Ok from my lectures: Temperature is due to the Kinetic energy of molecules. Kinetic energy can be due to vibrational, rotational, translational and/or electronic motion.

Now when you move an object from one place to another, aren't the molecules undergoing a nett translation (granted it's macroscopic but still there's a velocity)? So isn't there temperature involved here (however tiny)-not counting friction !

Thanks!
:)
 
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  • #2
No. Temperature is a measure of the average translational KE of molecules as measured in the center of mass frame of the system. (The macroscopic motion of an object doesn't effect the random motion of its molecules, which is what temperature relates to.)
 
  • #3
Thank you for the prompt reply Doc Al!
 

1. What is the relationship between temperature and the translational energy of molecules?

The temperature of a substance is directly proportional to the average translational kinetic energy of its molecules. This means that as the temperature increases, the molecules move faster and have more kinetic energy, and as the temperature decreases, the molecules move slower and have less kinetic energy.

2. How does the translational energy of molecules affect the state of matter?

The translational energy of molecules is directly related to the state of matter. In solids, the molecules have the least amount of translational energy and are tightly packed together. In liquids, the molecules have more translational energy and are able to move past each other. In gases, the molecules have the most translational energy and are able to move freely and independently.

3. What units are used to measure the translational energy of molecules?

The translational energy of molecules is typically measured in joules (J) or electron volts (eV). However, it can also be measured in other units such as kilojoules per mole (kJ/mol) or kilocalories per mole (kcal/mol).

4. How does temperature affect the translational energy distribution of molecules?

At a given temperature, the molecules in a substance have a range of translational energies. However, as the temperature increases, the range of translational energies also increases. This means that at higher temperatures, there is a wider distribution of translational energies among the molecules.

5. Can the translational energy of molecules be changed without changing the temperature?

Yes, the translational energy of molecules can be changed without changing the temperature by increasing or decreasing the pressure. This is because pressure affects the volume of a substance, which in turn affects the average speed of the molecules and their translational energy. Additionally, chemical reactions can also change the translational energy of molecules without changing the temperature.

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