Re: Thermal Energy - thermalization of rotational energy

[Ludwik Kowalski <kowalskiL@MAIL.MONTCLAIR.EDU>]

Jim Green wrote:

> Now finally would someone please tell me what is meant
> by "thermal energy" and "thermalize"

In my vocabulary to thermalize means to transform organized
motion of zillions of molecules, either translational or rotational,
into disorganized (random) motion. Naturally, I am referring
to ALL molecules from which the object is made. Is this OK?

In organized motion knowing the momentum of one molecule
will allow me to predict the momentum of any other molecule
at the same time. In disorganized motion knowing p of one
molecule tells me nothing about the others. A macroscopic
object, like a drunk sailor, can move randomly but we would
not say his kinetic energy is thermalized each time he turns
unpredictably. Right?
Ludwik Kowalski