Why the kinetic energy is same as internal energy of ideal gas?

In summary, the kinetic energy is the only form of energy present in an ideal gas due to the assumption of no interactions between gas molecules. This leads to the potential energy being zero. In real gases, there may be potential energy due to intermolecular forces, such as van der Waals forces, which can be described using the equation V(P) = - \int_{P_0}^P {\vec F \cdot d \vec r}. However, in ideal gases, this potential energy is usually constant or negligible and not included in the internal energy.
  • #1
Hardik Batra
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5
Why the kinetic energy is same as internal energy of ideal gas?
 
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  • #2
In an ideal gas (that we regularly study), there is assumed to be no interactions between the gas molecules. No interactions means no potential energy, so the only form of energy left is kinetic.
 
  • #3
Another question. Why are we use rms speed of gas molecules rather than average speed of gas molecules?
 
  • #4
Matterwave said:
In an ideal gas (that we regularly study), there is assumed to be no interactions between the gas molecules. No interactions means no potential energy, so the only form of energy left is kinetic.

for ideal gas P.E.=0
No interaction means no potential energy how?
 
  • #5
Hardik Batra said:
No interaction means no potential energy how?

Potential energy is defined in terms of an interaction force, specifically a conservative force.
$$V(P) = - \int_{P_0}^P {\vec F \cdot d \vec r}$$
 
  • #6
jtbell said:
Potential energy is defined in terms of an interaction force, specifically a conservative force.
$$V(P) = - \int_{P_0}^P {\vec F \cdot d \vec r}$$

Potential energy for ideal gas is zero.
But what is the potential energy for real gas. how the potential energy of real is changing?
I don't get it from the equation? Could you explain by words?
 
  • #7
Hardik Batra said:
Why the kinetic energy is same as internal energy of ideal gas?

The internal energy of an ideal gas also includes the rest energy of the particles and the potential energy due to gravity but these energies are usually constant or negligible.
 
  • #8
When two atoms or molecules come very close to each other, they exert small electrical forces on each other. Even though each atom or molecule has zero net charge, their charge distributions become distorted so that the net force between them becomes nonzero. For a simple example, two electric dipoles can exert forces on each other even though they each have zero net charge. This force is associated with a potential energy as per the equation above.

For more details, try searching for "van der Waals force" and "van der Waals potential".
 

Related to Why the kinetic energy is same as internal energy of ideal gas?

1. What is kinetic energy and internal energy in an ideal gas?

Kinetic energy is the energy that an object possesses due to its motion. In an ideal gas, kinetic energy refers to the energy that gas molecules have as they move and collide with each other. Internal energy, on the other hand, is the total energy of a gas system, including both kinetic and potential energy of the molecules.

2. Why are the kinetic energy and internal energy of an ideal gas the same?

In an ideal gas, the molecules are considered to be point masses that do not interact with each other except through collisions. This means that all the energy in the system is in the form of kinetic energy, as there is no potential energy between the molecules. Therefore, the total kinetic energy of the molecules is equal to the total internal energy of the gas.

3. How does temperature relate to the kinetic energy and internal energy of an ideal gas?

The temperature of an ideal gas is directly proportional to the average kinetic energy of its molecules. This is because temperature is a measure of the average kinetic energy of the molecules. Therefore, as the temperature of an ideal gas increases, so does the kinetic energy and internal energy of its molecules.

4. Can the kinetic energy and internal energy of an ideal gas be different?

In an ideal gas, the kinetic energy and internal energy are always the same. This is because an ideal gas follows the ideal gas law, which states that the internal energy of a gas is directly proportional to its temperature. As mentioned earlier, temperature is a measure of the average kinetic energy of the gas molecules, so the internal energy and kinetic energy are always equal in an ideal gas.

5. How does the kinetic energy and internal energy of an ideal gas change with pressure and volume?

In an ideal gas, the kinetic energy and internal energy do not change with pressure and volume, as long as the temperature remains constant. This is because the ideal gas law (PV = nRT) states that pressure and volume are inversely proportional, and temperature is directly proportional to the internal energy. So, as pressure and volume change, the temperature also changes in such a way that the internal energy remains constant, and therefore the kinetic energy remains the same as well.

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