--%>

Rotational energy and entropy due to rotational motion.

The entropy due to the rotational motion of the molecules of a gas can be calculated.


Linear molecules: as was pointed out, any rotating molecule has a set of allowed rotational energies. For a linear molecule the allowed rotational energies of a molecule of moment of inertia I are given approximated by

1920_rotational energy.png 

Furthermore, the number of states corresponding to a given value of J is given by 2J + 1. These features of the rotational energy patterns allow the rotational partition function to be deduced. This result can be used to obtain the rotational entropy contribution. The rotational contribution to the entropy, which must be added to the rotational contribution, is given by

2218_rotational energy1.png 

The partition function for rotation of a linear molecule obtained is

977_rotational energy2.png    

For a linear molecule, which has just 2 rotational degrees of freedom, the value of U - U0 for rotation was found, with this expression, to be RT. The rotational entropy of a diatomic or a linear polyatomic molecule can thus be written

2119_rotational energy3.png 

When numerical values are inserted for the constants, the rotational contributions of linear molecules to the entropy of ideal gases are given by

rot (J K-1 mol-1) = 877.37 + 8.3144 (In I + In T - In σ) [I in kg m2]

Example: calculate the 25°C rotational entropy of 1 mol of CO molecules. The moment of inertia of a CO molecule, measured by method given is 14.50 × 10-47 kg m2.

Solution: substitution in eq. and recognizing that σ = 1, gives

rot (J K-1 mol-1) = 877.37 + 8.3144[In (14.50 × 10-47) + In 298.15]

= 877.37 + 8.3144 (-105.55 + 5.70)


= 47.17 J K -1 mol-1

For comparison, the translational entropy of 1 mol of CO at 25°C and a pressure of 1 bar is calculated, to be 150.472 J K-1 mol-1.

The much greater translational entropy contribution (compared with the rotational entropy contribution) can be understood in terms of the much closer spacing of the translational energy levels and therefore the much larger number of translational states throughout which the molecules are distributed.

Nonlinear molecules: it is applicable to all diatomic molecules and all linear molecules. Generally shaped molecules, with 3 rather than 2 rotational degrees of freedom, require the use of 3/2 RTfor the rotational energy and the rotational partition function for nonlinear molecules given. For gases composed of such molecules

2366_rotational energy4.png 

With numerical values this becomes

rot (J K-1 mol-1) = 1320.83 + 4.157 In IAIBIC + 12.471 In T - 8.3143 In σ [IA, IB, IC in kg m2]


Limitations: these equations cannot be applied to molecules with very low moments of inertia or at very low temperatures. In both cases the spacing of the energy levels becomes appreciable compared with the thermal energy, and the integration that produced, for example, is not valid.

   Related Questions in Chemistry

  • Q : Normality of acetic acid Give me answer

    Give me answer of this question. The normality of 10% (weight/volume) acetic acid is: (a)1 N (b)10 N (c)1.7 N (d) 0.83 N

  • Q : Explain the molecular mass with respect

    During the formation of polymers, different macromolecules have different degree of polymerisation i.e. they have varied chain lengths. Thus, the molecular masses of the individual macromolecules in a particular sample of the polymer are different. Hence, an average value of the molecular mass is

  • Q : Short note on the function of

    Write down a short note on the function of mitochondria?

  • Q : Problem based on molarity Select the

    Select the right answer of the question. If 18 gm of glucose (C6H12O6) is present in 1000 gm of an aqueous solution of glucose, it is said to be: (a)1 molal (b)1.1 molal (c)0.5 molal (d)0.1 molal

  • Q : Chem Explain how dissolving the Group

    Explain how dissolving the Group IV carbonate precipitate with 6M CH3COOH, followed by the addition of extra acetic acid.

  • Q : Electron Spin The total angular

    The total angular momentum of an atom includes an electron spin component as well as an orbital component.The orbital motion of each electron of an atom contributes to the angular momentum of the atom, as described earlier. An additional

  • Q : Analytical chemistry 37% weight of HCl

    37% weight of HCl and density is 1.1g/ml. find molarity of HCl

  • Q : Question associated to vapour pressure

    Choose the right answer from following. The vapour pressure lowering caused by the addition of 100 g of sucrose(molecular mass = 342) to 1000 g of water if the vapour pressure of pure water at 25degree C is 23.8 mm Hg: (a)1.25 mm Hg (b) 0.125 mm Hg (c) 1.15 mm H

  • Q : Which is largest planet in our solar

    which is largest planet in our solar system

  • Q : What is electrolytic dissociation? The

    The Debye Huckel theory shows how the potential energy of an ion in solution depends on the ionic strength of the solution.Except at infinite dilution, electrostatic interaction between ions alters the properties of the solution from those excepted from th