The **law of equipartition of energy** states that, at temperature $T$, each quadratic degree of freedom contributes:
A$k_B T$
B$\frac{1}{2} k_B T$
C$\frac{3}{2} k_B T$
D$RT$
Answer & Solution
Correct answer: B. $\frac{1}{2} k_B T$
Each independent quadratic term in the energy expression (translational, rotational, vibrational kinetic + potential) contributes $\frac{1}{2} k_B T$ to the average energy.
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