Q135 / 150 · MHT CET 2026 (13 April Shift 2) · Physics
According to law of equipartition of energy the molar specific heat of a non rigid diatomic gas at constant volume is
- A$(9/2) R$
- B$(5/2) R$
- C$(3/2) R$
- Correct answerD$(7/2) R$
Solution
For a non-rigid diatomic gas, the degrees of freedom are distributed as follows:
Translational degrees of freedom = $3$
Rotational degrees of freedom = $2$
Vibrational degrees of freedom = $2$ (since each vibrational mode contributes to both kinetic and potential energy)
Total degrees of freedom $f = 3 + 2 + 2 = 7$
According to the law of equipartition of energy, the internal energy per mole of the gas is given by:
$U = \dfrac{f}{2}RT = \dfrac{7}{2}RT$
The molar specific heat at constant volume is:
$C_v = \dfrac{dU}{dT} = \dfrac{7}{2}R$
Answer: $(7/2) R$
Translational degrees of freedom = $3$
Rotational degrees of freedom = $2$
Vibrational degrees of freedom = $2$ (since each vibrational mode contributes to both kinetic and potential energy)
Total degrees of freedom $f = 3 + 2 + 2 = 7$
According to the law of equipartition of energy, the internal energy per mole of the gas is given by:
$U = \dfrac{f}{2}RT = \dfrac{7}{2}RT$
The molar specific heat at constant volume is:
$C_v = \dfrac{dU}{dT} = \dfrac{7}{2}R$
Answer: $(7/2) R$
Hence, the correct answer is option: 'D'.