Nonlinear vs linear molecules

[Chloe Alviz 1E]

What's the difference between nonlinear and linear molecules for heat capacity?

[KeyaV1C]

Nonlinear molecules have 3 rotational degrees from the 3 axes of rotation. Since there is symmetry about only one axis, linear molecules have 2 rotational degrees. The degrees of freedom contribute to the heat capacity.

[Veronica_Lubera_2A]

Usually I think we will be given linear molecules in terms of symmetry since they are common ideal gases such as CO2 and O2.

[Jesse H 2L]

net rotational degrees of freedom, linear molecules only have 2, nonlinear molecules have 3 and the degrees of freedom contribute to the heat capacity.

[Sydney Pell 2E]

I'm pretty sure that generally, nonlinear molecules will have higher molar heat capacities than linear molecules. For example, in 4C.1 from the textbook, NO2 (bent) has higher molar heat capacity than NO (linear).