Degrees of Freedom Lab

Explore how different types of gases store energy.

Degrees of Freedom

This refers to the number of ways a gas particle can store energy. A single atom (monatomic) can only move in 3 dimensions (translation), giving it 3 degrees of freedom. A two-atom molecule (diatomic) can also rotate, giving it 2 extra degrees of freedom for a total of 5.

Equipartition of Energy

When you add heat, the energy is shared equally among all available degrees of freedom. Because diatomic gas has more ways to store energy, its temperature (which only measures translational motion) rises more slowly than a monatomic gas.

Experiment Controls

Analysis

Click "Add Heat" to add the same amount of energy to both containers and observe the difference in their temperature rise.

Gas Properties

Monatomic

Temp: 0 K

Energy: 0

Diatomic

Temp: 0 K

Energy: 0

Trans: 0

Rot: 0