thermal energy



 Dear Netters!
 I have a question about the thermal energy, concerning rotational
 barriers. How can you calculate this energy in dependance of the absolute
 temperature? Some people told me it must be E = 3/2 * RT for a non-linear
 molecule, but this does't fit to experimental data (Ethane has a
 rotational barriere of approx. 3 kcal/mol and 3/2 * RT would be only 0.89
 kcal/mol for T=298K). Any suggestions?
 Kay.