Thermal physics -- Converting the internal energy of argon atoms to temperature

AI Thread Summary
The discussion centers on calculating the temperature of argon atoms using the formula U=3/2 NKbT. One participant rearranged the equation to T=(2U)/(3NKb) and converted mass to the number of molecules, arriving at a temperature of approximately 281.4 K. Another participant confirmed this result with a slightly different calculation, yielding 281.8 K, which rounds to the expected answer of 282 K. The importance of using an accurate value for the Boltzmann constant was emphasized to avoid round-off errors. Overall, the calculations demonstrate a close agreement with the expected temperature for argon.
Kathhhriine
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Homework Statement
The internal energy of 6.46 grams of argon is 568 J. What is the temperature of the argon atoms?
Relevant Equations
I tried using U=3/2 NKbT, but i dont seem to get the correct answer..
I tried using U=3/2 NKbT, but i don't seem to get the correct answer..
 
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Please show us what answer you got and how you got it. Without this information we are as much in the dark as you are.
 
kuruman said:
Please show us what answer you got and how you got it. Without this information we are as much in the dark as you are.
I rearranged u=3/2NkbT, to get T=(2U)/(3NKb). Then i changed from mass to molecules, by taking N=(m/M)x(avogardos)=(6.46/39.9)x6.02x10^23=9.75x10^22. I plotted in the values; T=(2x568)/(9.75x10^22 x 1.3x10^-23 x3) =298K. The value given in the solution is 282K.
 
I got 281.4 K. I think you have a round-off error. Use the more accurate value ##k_B=1.38\times10^{23}~\mathrm{J/K}## for the Boltzmann constant.

BTW, Welcome to PF!

With an atomic mass of 39.95 u for Argon I got 281.8 K which rounds off to your given answer.
 
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kuruman said:
I got 281.4 K. I think you have a round-off error. Use the more accurate value ##k_B=1.38\times10^{23}~\mathrm{J/K}## for the Boltzmann constant.

BTW, Welcome to PF!

With an atomic mass of 39.95 u for Argon I got 281.8 K which rounds off to your given answer.
Thank you!
 
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