Degrees of freedom (physics and chemistry)

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In physics and chemistry, a degree of freedom is an independent physical parameter in the chosen parameterization of a physical system. More formally, given a parameterization of a physical system, the number of degrees of freedom is the smallest number n {\textstyle n} of parameters whose values need to be known in order to always be able to determine the values of all parameters in the chosen parameterization. In this case, any set of n {\textstyle n} such parameters are called degrees of freedom. The location of a particle in three-dimensional space requires three position coordinates. Similarly, the direction and speed at which a particle moves can be described in terms of three velocity components, each in reference to the three dimensions of space. So, if the time evolution of the system is deterministic (where the state at one instant uniquely determines its past and future position and velocity...

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