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| ### Statement |
| ### Statement |
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| $5.6.1.$ [Insert the problem statement] |
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| ### Solution |
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| ### Statement |
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| $5.6.1.$ The average energy of a single gas molecule over a wide temperature range is determined quite accurately by the formula $\bar{\varepsilon} = \frac{i}{2}kT$, where $i$ is the number of degrees of freedom of the molecule, which is equal to the number of coordinates determining its position. Using this formula, find the average energy of $H_2$, $N_2$, $H_2O$, and $CH_4$ molecules at a temperature $T$. |
| $5.6.1.$ The average energy of a single gas molecule over a wide temperature range is determined quite accurately by the formula $\bar{\varepsilon} = \frac{i}{2}kT$, where $i$ is the number of degrees of freedom of the molecule, which is equal to the number of coordinates determining its position. Using this formula, find the average energy of $H_2$, $N_2$, $H_2O$, and $CH_4$ molecules at a temperature $T$. |
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| ### Theoretical Background: Degrees of Freedom & Molecular Models |
| ### Theoretical Background: Degrees of Freedom & Molecular Models |
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| In thermodynamics, a **degree of freedom ($i$)** is an independent coordinate required to completely specify the position and orientation of a molecule in space. It represents the number of independent ways a molecule can move and store kinetic energy. |
| In thermodynamics, a "degree of freedom ($i$)"" is an independent coordinate required to completely specify the position and orientation of a molecule in space. It represents the number of independent ways a molecule can move and store kinetic energy. |
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| At normal temperatures, we consider translational motion (the center of mass moving along coordinate axes) and rotational motion (tumbling around axes). Let's visualize all three fundamental models: |
| At normal temperatures, we consider translational motion (the center of mass moving along coordinate axes) and rotational motion (tumbling around axes). Let's visualize all three fundamental models: |
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| **1. Monatomic Gas (e.g., $He$, $Ne$, $Ar$)** |
| #### 1. Monatomic Gas (e.g., $He$, $Ne$, $Ar$) |
| A single atom is treated as a point mass. It can move in 3D space, but its moment of inertia is practically zero, so rotation does not store thermodynamic energy. |
| A single atom is treated as a point mass. It can move in 3D space, but its moment of inertia is practically zero, so rotation does not store thermodynamic energy. |
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| * **Translational ($i_{\text{trans}}$):** 3 (motion along the $X$, $Y$, and $Z$ axes, as shown by the pink arrows). |
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| * **Rotational ($i_{\text{rot}}$):** 0 |
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| * **Total $i = 3$** |
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| **2. Diatomic Gas (e.g., $H_2$, $N_2$)** |
| 1. Translational ($i_{\text{trans}}$): 3 (motion along the $X$, $Y$, and $Z$ axes, as shown by the pink arrows). |
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| 2. Rotational ($i_{\text{rot}}$): 0 |
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| 3. Total $i = 3$ |
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| #### 2. Diatomic Gas (e.g., $H_2$, $N_2$) |
| Two atoms connected by a rigid bond (a "dumbbell" model). Its motion is divided into two parts. |
| Two atoms connected by a rigid bond (a "dumbbell" model). Its motion is divided into two parts. |
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| First, the entire center of mass can move in 3D space. |
| First, the entire center of mass can move in 3D space. |
| * **Translational ($i_{\text{trans}}$):** 3 (motion along the $X$, $Y$, and $Z$ axes). |
| 1. Translational ($i_{\text{trans}}$): 3 (motion along the $X$, $Y$, and $Z$ axes). |
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| Second, it can rotate end-over-end. As shown in the diagram above, if the molecule lies along the $Y$-axis, it can rotate independently around the $X$ and $Z$ axes (indicated by the green arrows). Rotation strictly around its own bond axis ($Y$-axis in this specific orientation) has a negligible moment of inertia and is therefore ignored. |
| Second, it can rotate end-over-end. As shown in the diagram above, if the molecule lies along the $Y$-axis, it can rotate independently around the $X$ and $Z$ axes (indicated by the green arrows). Rotation strictly around its own bond axis ($Y$-axis in this specific orientation) has a negligible moment of inertia and is therefore ignored. |
| * **Rotational ($i_{\text{rot}}$):** 2 |
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| * **Total $i = 5$** |
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| **3. Polyatomic Non-linear Gas (e.g., $H_2O$, $CH_4$)** |
| 2. Rotational ($i_{\text{rot}}$): 2 |
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| 3. Total $i = 5$ |
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| #### 3. Polyatomic Non-linear Gas (e.g., $H_2O$, $CH_4$) |
| These molecules possess a complex 3D structure with substantial mass distribution around all three spatial axes. |
| These molecules possess a complex 3D structure with substantial mass distribution around all three spatial axes. |
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| * **Translational ($i_{\text{trans}}$):** 3 (motion along $X$, $Y$, and $Z$ axes, always present). |
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| * **Rotational ($i_{\text{rot}}$):** 3 (as shown by the green arrows, the molecule can tumble around the $X$, $Y$, and $Z$ axes independently). |
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| * **Total $i = 6$** |
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| 1. Translational ($i_{\text{trans}}$): 3 (motion along $X$, $Y$, and $Z$ axes, always present). |
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| 2. Rotational ($i_{\text{rot}}$): 3 (as shown by the green arrows, the molecule can tumble around the $X$, $Y$, and $Z$ axes independently). |
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| 3. Total $i = 6$ |
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| ### Solution |
| ### Solution |
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| To find the average energy of a single gas molecule using the formula: |
| To find the average energy of a single gas molecule using the formula: |
| $$\bar{\varepsilon} = \frac{i}{2}kT$$ | | $$\bar{\varepsilon} = \frac{i}{2}kT$$ |
| we determine the number of degrees of freedom $i$ based on the geometric structures analyzed above. | | we determine the number of degrees of freedom $i$ based on the geometric structures analyzed above. |
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| For the diatomic gases $H_2$ and $N_2$, the number of degrees of freedom is $i = 5$. Therefore, the average energy of a single molecule of these gases is: | | For the diatomic gases $H_2$ and $N_2$, the number of degrees of freedom is $i = 5$. Therefore, the average energy of a single molecule of these gases is: |
| $$\bar{\varepsilon}_{H_2} = \bar{\varepsilon}_{N_2} = \frac{5}{2}kT$$ | | $$\bar{\varepsilon}_{H_2} = \bar{\varepsilon}_{N_2} = \frac{5}{2}kT$$ |
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| For the non-linear polyatomic molecules $H_2O$ and $CH_4$, the number of degrees of freedom is $i = 6$. Therefore, the average energy of a single molecule is: | | For the non-linear polyatomic molecules $H_2O$ and $CH_4$, the number of degrees of freedom is $i = 6$. Therefore, the average energy of a single molecule is: |
| $$\bar{\varepsilon}_{H_2O} = \bar{\varepsilon}_{CH_4} = \frac{6}{2}kT = 3kT$$ | | $$\bar{\varepsilon}_{H_2O} = \bar{\varepsilon}_{CH_4} = \frac{6}{2}kT = 3kT$$ |
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