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4 votes
3 answers
591 views

Why potential energy is not considered in the internal energy of diatomic molecules?

In thermodynamics, I am taught that there are 5 degrees of freedom in diatomic molecules since there are 3 for translational and 2 for rotational. I interpret degrees of freedom as "ways you can ...
bluesky's user avatar
  • 303
4 votes
1 answer
3k views

The "potential energy" degree of freedom?

I'm reading Schroeder's "An Introduction to Thermal Physics" and he mentions the vibrational degrees of freedom of a diatomic molecule: A diatomic molecule can also vibrate, as if the two atoms ...
Mike's user avatar
  • 181