Question

For a single atom what is the total energy a sum of?

(a) Translation and rotational energy

(b) Electrical and vibrational energy

(c) Translation and electronic energy

(d) Rotational, electronic and translation energy

I had been asked this question during an interview for a job.

My question is from Microscopic Description of Gases topic in section Properties of High Temperature Gases of Aerodynamics

Answer 1

Right option is (c) Translation and electronic energy

For explanation I would say: For a molecule, the total energy is a summation of rotational, translation, vibrational and electronic energy. But for a single atom, the total energy is a sum of only translation and electronic energy.