Why the kinetic energy is same as internal energy of ideal gas?

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SUMMARY

The kinetic energy of an ideal gas is equivalent to its internal energy due to the absence of potential energy resulting from molecular interactions. In an ideal gas, the assumption of no interactions between gas molecules leads to a scenario where only kinetic energy contributes to the internal energy. The internal energy also accounts for negligible rest energy and gravitational potential energy. Understanding these principles is crucial for grasping the behavior of gases under various conditions.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of ideal gas laws
  • Familiarity with kinetic theory of gases
  • Basic knowledge of potential energy and conservative forces
  • Concept of internal energy in thermodynamics
NEXT STEPS
  • Research "van der Waals force" to understand interactions in real gases
  • Study "van der Waals potential" for insights into molecular interactions
  • Explore the kinetic theory of gases for deeper insights into gas behavior
  • Learn about the implications of potential energy in real gases versus ideal gases
USEFUL FOR

Students and professionals in physics, particularly those studying thermodynamics, gas laws, and molecular interactions. This discussion is beneficial for anyone seeking to understand the energy dynamics of ideal and real gases.

Hardik Batra
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Why the kinetic energy is same as internal energy of ideal gas?
 
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In an ideal gas (that we regularly study), there is assumed to be no interactions between the gas molecules. No interactions means no potential energy, so the only form of energy left is kinetic.
 
Another question. Why are we use rms speed of gas molecules rather than average speed of gas molecules?
 
Matterwave said:
In an ideal gas (that we regularly study), there is assumed to be no interactions between the gas molecules. No interactions means no potential energy, so the only form of energy left is kinetic.

for ideal gas P.E.=0
No interaction means no potential energy how?
 
Hardik Batra said:
No interaction means no potential energy how?

Potential energy is defined in terms of an interaction force, specifically a conservative force.
$$V(P) = - \int_{P_0}^P {\vec F \cdot d \vec r}$$
 
jtbell said:
Potential energy is defined in terms of an interaction force, specifically a conservative force.
$$V(P) = - \int_{P_0}^P {\vec F \cdot d \vec r}$$

Potential energy for ideal gas is zero.
But what is the potential energy for real gas. how the potential energy of real is changing?
I don't get it from the equation? Could you explain by words?
 
Hardik Batra said:
Why the kinetic energy is same as internal energy of ideal gas?

The internal energy of an ideal gas also includes the rest energy of the particles and the potential energy due to gravity but these energies are usually constant or negligible.
 
When two atoms or molecules come very close to each other, they exert small electrical forces on each other. Even though each atom or molecule has zero net charge, their charge distributions become distorted so that the net force between them becomes nonzero. For a simple example, two electric dipoles can exert forces on each other even though they each have zero net charge. This force is associated with a potential energy as per the equation above.

For more details, try searching for "van der Waals force" and "van der Waals potential".
 

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