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Is internal energy the same thing as kinetic energy?

Answer 1

A good part of internal energy is associated to a kinetic energy, obviously seen as kinetic energy of particles that constitute the thermodynamic system. You must add however the other part of internal energy that is the part of potential kind of energy, always referred to the microscopic components.

Specifically in the context of molecular thermodynamics, a significant portion of kinetic energy is separate from translational energy and is also distributed as vibrational and rotational energy. At the conclusion of physical processes, microscopic kinetic and released potential energy—which may also be nuclear in nature—shows up in the system as rising heat and temperature.

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Answer 2

Adam Arnold

No, internal energy is not the same as kinetic energy. Internal energy refers to the total energy contained within a system, including the kinetic energy of its particles (motion of particles) and the potential energy associated with their positions and interactions. Kinetic energy specifically refers to the energy of motion possessed by an object.

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Answer from HIX Tutor

When evaluating a one-sided limit, you need to be careful when a quantity is approaching zero since its sign is different depending on which way it is approaching zero from. Let us look at some examples.