I keep getting “Internal energy” questions wrong in Thermodynamics & Kinetic Theory. What's the trap?
thinking internal energy depends on pressure or volume for an ideal gas.
The usual trap: thinking internal energy depends on pressure or volume for an ideal gas. How to avoid it: same temperature → same internal energy for an ideal gas. Go back to the definition — the total microscopic energy of a system; for an ideal gas it depends only on temperature.
Key point
Internal energy
Common mistake
thinking internal energy depends on pressure or volume for an ideal gas.
Memory tip
same temperature → same internal energy for an ideal gas.
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