The internal energy of a solid depends on the number of degrees of freedom available to each atom.Which of the following statements is correct concerning these degrees of freedom in a solid?
A)Three are due to translational,two are rotational,and one is vibrational.
B)Three are due to kinetic,and three from potential energies of vibration.
C)Three are due to translational,and two are rotational.
D)There are three,and all are due to translational motion.
E)Three are vibrational,and three are rotational.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

In a solid, the atoms are not free to move around or rotate as they would in gases or liquids. Instead, their movement is restricted to vibrations about their fixed positions. Each atom in a solid has three degrees of freedom associated with kinetic energy (due to the vibrations in three perpendicular directions) and three corresponding degrees of freedom associated with potential energy (also due to vibrations in those directions), making a total of six degrees of freedom related to vibrational motion.

The Internal Energy of a Solid Depends on the Number