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Thermal Energy Equation:
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The thermal energy equation \( E = \frac{3}{2} n R T \) calculates the thermal energy of an ideal monatomic gas. It represents the total kinetic energy of all particles in the gas due to their random motion.
The calculator uses the thermal energy equation:
Where:
Explanation: This equation applies specifically to monatomic ideal gases and represents the total kinetic energy of all gas particles.
Details: Calculating thermal energy is essential in thermodynamics for understanding heat transfer, work done by gases, and predicting gas behavior under different temperature conditions.
Tips: Enter the number of moles, gas constant (default is 8.314 J/mol·K), and temperature in Kelvin. All values must be positive numbers.
Q1: Why is the factor 3/2 used in this equation?
A: The factor 3/2 comes from the equipartition theorem, which assigns (1/2)kT of energy per degree of freedom. Monatomic gases have 3 translational degrees of freedom.
Q2: Does this equation work for all types of gases?
A: No, this specific equation applies only to monatomic ideal gases. Diatomic and polyatomic gases have additional degrees of freedom and different equations.
Q3: What is the difference between thermal energy and heat?
A: Thermal energy is the total internal energy of a system, while heat is the transfer of thermal energy between systems due to temperature difference.
Q4: Why must temperature be in Kelvin?
A: The Kelvin scale is an absolute temperature scale where 0 K represents absolute zero, making it appropriate for thermodynamic calculations.
Q5: Can this calculator be used for real gases?
A: This calculator uses the ideal gas equation, which provides reasonable approximations for real gases at high temperatures and low pressures.