When work W is done on an ideal gas of diatomic molecules in thermal isolation the increase in the total translational kinetic energy of the molecules is:
A)0
B)2W/3
C)2W/5
D)3W/5
E)W

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

An ideal gas of diatomic molecules has 5 degrees of freedom, 3 translational and 2 rotational. In thermal isolation, the total energy of the system remains constant. When work W is done on the gas, the increase in the total translational kinetic energy of the molecules is 2W/5, as 2/5 of the work done is used to increase the translational kinetic energy.

When Work W Is Done on an Ideal Gas of Diatomic