Question

Virial theorem says that E_t=−E_P/2 however this says that lets say for 2 gas molecules(Ne) the kinetic energy due toa temperature a molecule of Ne at 0K will have the same energy with a Ne molecule at 300K which obviously isnt correct.So what is going on here?

Answer 1

The Virial theorem states that the total energy of a system of particles is equal to half of the potential energy. However, for gas molecules, the average kinetic energy is related to temperature, not potential energy. Therefore, the statement that molecules at different temperatures have the same energy is incorrect.

Step-by-step explanation:

The Virial theorem states that the total energy of a system of particles is equal to half of the potential energy. However, it is important to note that this theorem applies to systems in equilibrium.

In the case of gas molecules, the average kinetic energy of a molecule is related to its temperature, not its potential energy. The kinetic energy of a molecule increases as the temperature increases. Therefore, at a higher temperature, a gas molecule will have more kinetic energy compared to the same molecule at a lower temperature.

So, the statement that two gas molecules of Ne at 0K and 300K have the same energy is incorrect. The average kinetic energy of the Ne molecule at 300K will be higher than that of the Ne molecule at 0K.