The First law of Thermodynamics

Internal energy:

Total energy within the system, which is a composite of Potential and kinetic energy

E = P.e + K.e

If we assume the ideal gas model – P.e = 0 because molecules are infinitely separated therefore they are not
interacting.

E = K.e

Teacher, please tell students that the degree of freedom (Ф) is the number of variables of energy. Degree of freedom is
an umbrella term for a given number of configurations of anything. i.e. the Cartesian axes have 3 degrees of freedom X,
Y, and Z axis.

Total Energy also has 3 contributions of degrees of freedom, translational, rotational & vibrational degrees of freedom.

BY invoking equipartition total energy as above can be expressed in terms of degrees of freedom (Ф):

ФnRt
E=
2

We have 3 contributions from the translational degree of freedom, thus along the 3 Cartesian coordinates
molecule can translate along the x-axis, y, and z-axis.

ФnRt
E= , Фtrans =3
2

3nRt
Etrans =
2
Teacher, please explain to the students that the fact that we live in a 3-D reality that’s the reason why we
have 3 degrees of freedom for translational energy.

In the case of rotational and vibrational energy, the degrees of freedom will depend on whether we have
linear or non-linear molecules.

Drill: determine the rotational degrees of freedom for a linear molecule and rotational energy

Teacher, please tell the students that all linear molecules have 2 degrees of freedom

ФnRT
E= , Фrot =2
2

2nRT
Etrans = ,
2

=nRT

Let’s determine the vibrational degrees of freedom and energy

Please, remind us that the vibrational degree of freedom for linear molecules is

Фvib (linear) =3N -5, Where N is the number of atoms in the molecule for carbon dioxide N=3
Фvib (linear) =3N -5, N=3

Фvib (linear) =3*3 -5

Фvib = 4

HENCE Vibrational energy is given as

ФnRT
E= , Фvib =4
2

4nRT
=
2

=2nRT

Total energy induced by carbon dioxide inside a contatiner is

E = Etrans + Erot + Evib

3nRT
= + nRT + 2nRT =
2
9nRT
=
2