Equipartition theorem: Difference between revisions

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imported>David Yamakuchi
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imported>David Yamakuchi
(Added Workgroups, edited links, referenced classical mechanics)
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The Theorem of the Equipartition of [[energy]] was first introduced by [[James Clerk Maxwell]] (1831-1879) and sates:
The Theorem of the Equipartition of [[energy]] is a construct of [[classical mechanics]] and was first introduced by [[James Clerk Maxwell]] (1831-1879).  It sates:
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"Every kind of molecule has a particular number of [[degrees of freedom]] ''f'' which are independent ways in which it can store energy.  Each such degree of freedom has associated with it, on [[average]], an [[energy]] of <math> \frac{1}{2}\ kT</math> per molecule or <math> \frac{1}{2}\ RT</math> per [[mole]], where ''k'' is the [[Boltzmann constant]], ''R'' is the [[molar gas constant]] and ''T'' is [[temperature]] in [[kelvin]]."<ref>Fundamentals of Physics, Fourth Edition by David Halliday, Robert Resnick, and Jearl Walker p591</ref>.
'''"Every kind of [[molecule]] has a particular number of [[degrees of freedom]] ''f'' which are independent ways in which it can store energy.  Each such degree of freedom has associated with it, on [[average]], an energy of <math> \frac{1}{2}\ kT</math> per molecule or <math> \frac{1}{2}\ RT</math> per [[mole]], where ''k'' is the [[Boltzmann constant]], ''R'' is the [[molar gas constant]] and ''T'' is [[temperature]] in [[kelvin]]."'''<ref>Fundamentals of Physics, Fourth Edition by David Halliday, Robert Resnick, and Jearl Walker p591</ref>.
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Degrees of freedom can be translational, rotational, or oscillatory.


[[Degrees of freedom]] can be translational, rotational, or oscillatory.
Simple [[particles]] such as a monoatomic [[gas]] for instance will have three degrees of freedom, one for each [[dimension]] of potential movement. More complex molecules can have more degrees of freedom.
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Simple particles such as a monoatomic gas for instance will have three [[degrees of freedom]], one for each [[dimension]] of potential movement. More complex molecules can have more [[degrees of freedom]].
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Revision as of 12:55, 1 January 2008

The Theorem of the Equipartition of energy is a construct of classical mechanics and was first introduced by James Clerk Maxwell (1831-1879). It sates:

"Every kind of molecule has a particular number of degrees of freedom f which are independent ways in which it can store energy. Each such degree of freedom has associated with it, on average, an energy of per molecule or per mole, where k is the Boltzmann constant, R is the molar gas constant and T is temperature in kelvin."[1].

Degrees of freedom can be translational, rotational, or oscillatory.

Simple particles such as a monoatomic gas for instance will have three degrees of freedom, one for each dimension of potential movement. More complex molecules can have more degrees of freedom.

  1. Fundamentals of Physics, Fourth Edition by David Halliday, Robert Resnick, and Jearl Walker p591