U total - 3/2nRT

[Samantha Chung 4I]

The equation introduced today in class, U total = 3/2 nRT , I was wondering if this only applies to reversible reactions? Or does it apply to both reversible and irreversible reactions?

[Saman Andalib 1H]

This equation was briefly mentioned in the derivation of the formula for the reversible, isothermic reaction formula to solve for the amount of work done by a system. The more important system to know in-depth is the work formula for a reversible reaction

w=-nRTln(Vfinal/Vinitial)

[Dimitri Speron 1C]

This equation is derived from the equipartition theorem. This is the form that is for the translational energy of a monatomic gas, and the form can change as you change the molecular structure of the gas in question. (i.e. you have diatomic or polyatomic gases) The equipartition theorem gives us the total translational energy in 3 dimensions for a single particle, and the formula given in class just extends that to the number of moles present by multiplying by n.

[Lisa Werner 2F]

Also, I believe it can only be used for ideal gases.