The translational degrees of freedom (ft) and rotational degrees of freedom (fr) of CH4 molecule are:
- ft = 2 and fr = 2
- ft = 3 and fr = 3
- ft = 3 and fr = 2
- ft = 2 and fr = 3
Answer
(2) ft = 3 and fr = 3
Solution
CH4 is a non-linear (tetrahedral) polyatomic molecule
Translation along x, y, z ⇒ ft = 3
non-linear, rotation about all three axes counts ⇒ fr = 3
Answer: (2)