Answer: 0, since monatomic gas molecules have no rotational degrees of freedom.
- A 0, since monatomic gas molecules have no rotational degrees of freedom
- B 2/5, the fraction associated with two rotational degrees of freedom in a diatomic gas
- C 3/5, the fraction associated with translational energy in a diatomic gas
- D 1/2, an arbitrary even split between translational and rotational energy
Correct answer: A. 0, since monatomic gas molecules have no rotational degrees of freedom
Explanation: Monatomic gas molecules (treated as point masses) have no rotational degrees of freedom, so all the heat supplied at constant volume goes entirely into translational kinetic energy.
Not all gas molecules move at the same speed - the Maxwell-Boltzmann distribution shows the spread, with the most probable speed vp slightly less than the average vavg, which is slightly less than the root-mean-square speed vrms used in the pressure formula.
Concept context
Kinetic theory of gases connects molecular motion to pressure and temperature, explaining gas laws, specific heats, and molecular speeds.