The term degrees of freedom refers to the number of independent ways in which a molecule can absorb, release or store

energy. The relevant degrees of freedom in an ideal gas are translational, rotational, and vibrational motions of the individual molecules. For each molecule, there are three translational degrees of freedom which correspond to its motion along the x.y.and zaxes. Each degree of freedom is considered to be independent because a change in any one of the components would not affect the other two. Rotational degrees of freedom are due to the rotation of the molecule about the different axes within a finite moment of inertia. Vibrational degrees of freedom are attributed to the intramolecular movement of two bonded atoms in relation to each other.

The molecules of inert gases are monatomic, consisting of single atoms only. These atoms behave as point-like bodies, having only translational kinetic energy. This kinetic energy can be thought of as the sum of three quantities. Each quantity is associated with motion in one of the three mutually perpendicular directions. A monatomic gas atom does not spin about any axis because this is not possible from the viewpoint of quantum mechanics. Therefore, only three independent (x, y, and z) translational movements can be counted for monatomic gas atoms.

Hydrogen, nitrogen, oxygen and carbon monoxide molecules are diatomic, having two atoms for every molecule. The classical model describes such diatomic molecules as particles connected by a rigid rod. The rotational moment of inertia I has the same value about each of the axes (x and y) that passes perpendicularly through the centre of the rod. The moment of inertia about the z-axis is essentially zero. Thus, only two degrees of freedom are associated with the rotational kinetic energies of diatomic molecules. A diatomic molecule therefore has three degrees of freedom associated with rotational motion, giving a total of five degrees of freedom.

The third rotational degree of freedom which is not available to diatomic molecules can occur for polyatomic molecules. Polyatomic molecules can thus have a total of six degrees of freedom.

Degrees of freedom

Type of molecule
Monatomic 3 0 3 Diatomic 3 2 5 Polyatomic 3 3 6

Motion

Translational Rotational Total

Temperature has an effect on the degrees of freedom of a diatomic gas. * At very low temperatures, almost all motions of diatomic molecules are translational. Rotational motions are insignificant. Hence, the diatomic molecules exhibit only three degrees of freedom. * At room temperature, diatomic molecules exhibit five degrees of freedom, three translational and two rotational. * At very high temperatures above 1000K, vibrational motion becomes significant. There is a total of seven degrees of freedom, that is all the five degrees of freedom at room temperature, plus two additional ones due to vibration.