MadSci Network: Physics
Query:

Re: Why atoms and molecules atart to vibate when they receive energy?

Date: Mon Feb 28 09:26:55 2000
Posted By: Andreas Kieron P. Bender, Grad student, Chemistry, Trinity College Dublin
Area of science: Physics
ID: 951574289.Ph
Message:

Hi Chun,

actually both things are exactly the same! You have two different possibilities for motion - either all atoms are moving concerted (i.e. in the same direction) or in different directions. If they move concerted - the item moves as a whole (a baloon or so) but if they are moving in different directions, then the item as a whole doesn't move at all. That kind of motion is exactly what we call "temperature"!

But you are asking why they start to vibrate - in physics there exists a principle called the "equipartition principle". It states that all translational (motion) rotational and vibrational degrees of freedom have the same amount of energy - you can't have just vibrational energy.

If you are really interested, have a look at this web page or search a chemistry page.

Bye,
Andreas


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