The discussion revolves around the behavior of two monatomic ideal gases in thermal equilibrium, specifically focusing on the relationship between their average translational kinetic energies and temperature. The gases differ in mass, with one being four times heavier than the other.
The discussion is active, with participants raising questions about the nature of temperature and its relationship to kinetic energy. Some have provided insights from external sources, while others challenge and clarify misconceptions about the proportionality of temperature to mass and kinetic energy.
Participants are navigating definitions and concepts related to temperature and thermal equilibrium, indicating a need for clarity on these fundamental principles. There is an ongoing exploration of assumptions regarding the relationship between mass and kinetic energy in the context of ideal gases.
it means delta T=0 then delta Einternal=0phyzguy said:What is temperature? What does it mean to be in thermal equilibrium?
Any Help said:it means delta T=0 then delta Einternal=0
Temperature is a measurement of how heat or cold an object is. It reflects the delta internal energy where the change in temprature will cause a change in internal energy.phyzguy said:You didn't answer my question about what is temperature.
okay, but also its proportional to massphyzguy said:From the Wikipedia article on temperature:
"The kinetic theory offers a valuable but limited account of the behavior of the materials of macroscopic bodies, especially of fluids. It indicates the absolute temperature as proportional to the average kinetic energy of the random microscopic motions of those of their constituent microscopic particles, such as electrons, atoms, and molecules, that move freely within the material."
Any Help said:okay, but also its proportional to mass
ah okay I got your point thanksphyzguy said:No! It's not! Temperature is proportional to the average kinetic energy of the constituent particles. So if two gases have equal temperatures, they have equal average kinetic energies. So the heavier particles are moving slower.