Internal energy + entropy for molecule

In summary: Great. So how the temperature of one molecule in statistical mechanics is related to macroscopic temperature (T= dU/dS) of a volume containing this molecule and many others?In summary, internal energy can be theoretically described for one molecule, while entropy is defined for a system. Temperature is also defined as the difference between internal energy and entropy.
  • #1
tonyjk
227
3
Hello,
Internal energy can be defined theoretically for one molecule (U = 1/2 Kb T) for example but entropy is defined for a system thus for many molecules. Then we define temperature equal to δU / δS but here U can be defined for one molecule, so S can also be defined for one molecule? How?

Thank you
 
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  • #2
tonyjk said:
Hello,
Internal energy can be defined theoretically for one molecule (U = 1/2 Kb T) for example but entropy is defined for a system thus for many molecules. Then we define temperature equal to δU / δS but here U can be defined for one molecule, so S can also be defined for one molecule? How?

Thank you
Do you really feel that the equation you presented for U describes the kinetic energy of each and every molecule of an ideal gas, or is it just the average kinetic energy over all the molecules, consistent with the Boltzman distribution?
 
  • #3
Chestermiller said:
Do you really feel that the equation you presented for U describes the kinetic energy of each and every molecule of an ideal gas, or is it just the average kinetic energy over all the molecules, consistent with the Boltzman distribution?
No like I said U can theoretically describe both. For example if U can describe one molecule thus the temperature can describe one molecule. So S can describe one molecule? Then if S cannot describe one molecule, a temperature cannot describe one molecule, so there is a contradiction in the U defintion for one molecule
 
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  • #4
The average number of children per family in the US was 2.7 in 1961.
Can you say that any specific family had 2.7 children?
 
  • #5
In statistical mechanics, there is nothing wrong with defining entropy for a single molecule.
 
  • #6
DrDu said:
In statistical mechanics, there is nothing wrong with defining entropy for a single molecule.
Great. So how the temperature of one molecule in statistical mechanics is related to macroscopic temperature (T= dU/dS) of a volume containing this molecule and many others?
 

Related to Internal energy + entropy for molecule

1. What is internal energy?

Internal energy is the sum of all the kinetic and potential energies of the molecules in a system. It includes the energy from molecular motion, rotation, and vibration.

2. How is internal energy related to temperature?

Internal energy is directly proportional to temperature. As the temperature of a system increases, the molecules gain more kinetic energy, resulting in an increase in internal energy.

3. What is entropy?

Entropy is a measure of the randomness or disorder in a system. It is related to the number of possible arrangements of molecules in a given system.

4. How is entropy related to internal energy?

The relationship between entropy and internal energy is complex. Generally, as the internal energy of a system increases, the entropy also increases. However, in certain cases, such as when a substance undergoes a phase change, the internal energy may increase while the entropy decreases.

5. Can the internal energy of a molecule be measured?

Yes, the internal energy of a molecule can be measured using techniques such as calorimetry, which measures the heat released or absorbed during a chemical reaction or phase change.

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