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Is the temperature (as defined by rms velocity of particles) higher for a system that is moving relative to the observer? So for instance if a box of particles is moving relative to the observer, would an observer traveling with the box measure a lower temperature than one with the observer? In that case, could we expect chemical reactions to take place faster from an observer's frame of reference if the flask containing the reactants is moving relative to the observer?

Qmechanic
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scl
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1 Answers1

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By changing the frame of reference you are changing the velocity of the centre of mass of the system of particles but not the distribution of velocities relative to the centre of mass of the system which relates to the temperature of the system.

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The key to the rate of reaction is the temperature of the reactance which stays the same being independent of the reference frame as explained above.
When the centre of mass is moving the relative velocities between the reacting molecules does not change and so the rate of reaction does not change. Thus a rate of reaction on a moving train is the same as that on the ground.

Farcher
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