This paper discuss the consequences of the equipartition principle when used to calculate the heat capacity of atoms and molecules, a discussion that appeared at the end of XIX century and beginning of the XX century. Classical molecular thermodynamics prediction of the heat capacity is introduced, followed by a presentation of the degrees of freedom of a system. The historical discussion that appeared at the time, by Dulong, Petit, Maxwell, Boltzmann, Rayleigh and Kelvin is discussed afterwards. The necessity of a new theory is also presented as a direct consequence of the equipartition principle collapse.
equipartition principle; degree of freedom; heat capacity
