The entropy of an oxygen molecule in air corresponds to approximately 1 $\times$ 10¹⁰ accessible states. Which of the following states contribute most to this entropy?
I. translational
II. rotational
III. vibrational
IV. electronic

Question

The entropy of an oxygen molecule in air corresponds to approximately 1

\times

10¹⁰ accessible states. Which of the following states contribute most to this entropy?
I. translational
II. rotational
III. vibrational
IV. electronic

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Translational and rotational states contribute most to the entropy of an oxygen molecule in air because these states are highly accessible at room temperature, allowing a vast number of possible positions and orientations. Vibrational and electronic states require higher energy to be accessed and thus contribute less to the entropy under normal conditions.

The Entropy of an Oxygen Molecule in Air Corresponds to Approximately