In a diatomic molecule, the rotational energy at given temperature

Options

A. obeys Maxwell's distribution
B. have the same values for all molecules.
C. equals the translational kinetic energy for each molecules.
D. is `(2//3)rd` the translational kinetic energy for each molecules.

Answer

A, D

Explanation

In a diatomic molecule, the rotational energy at a given temperature obeys Maxwell's energy distribution law. As each such atom has three translation degrees of freedom and two rotational degree of freedom, therefore, at a given temperature, rotational energy is `2/3 rd` the translational KE of each molecules. Energy associated with each molecule per degree of freedom is fixed `(1/2 k_(B)T)`. choices (a) and (b) are correct.