Ideal Gas Internal Energy

[Ariel Fern 2B]

An equation was brought up for an ideal gas that states:

U = 3/2 nRT

Where did this equation come from, and what should it be used for? Thanks so much!

[Kimberly Koo 2I]

I found this in a helpful table in section 4C.3 of the textbook. It is part of a set of values that correspond to what the values of Cv,m and Cp,m would be depending on if the question asks about an atom, linear molecule, or nonlinear molecule.

[AronCainBayot2K]

This value usually denotes Cv or Cp. The number depends on if the molecule is monoatomic, diatomic, etc.

[Abigail_Hagen2G]

It's an approximation for the heat capacity of a molecule.

[Caroline Beecher 2H]

Also, Dr. Lavelle mentioned in class today that we will be given those equations or the heat capacities for those specific molecules. I think we will mainly use this concept for monatomic molecules.