5: Boltzmann
- Page ID
- 202910
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- 5.1: The Boltzmann Factor
- The proportionality constant \(k\) (or \(k_B\)) is named after him: the Boltzmann constant. It plays a central role in all statistical thermodynamics. The Boltzmann factor is used to approximate the fraction of particles in a large system. The Boltzmann factor is given by: \[ \exp(-\beta E_i)\]
- 5.2: The Thermal Boltzman Distribution
- The Boltzmann distribution represents a thermally equilibrated most probable distribution over all energy levels. There is always a higher population in a state of lower energy than in one of higher energy.
- 5.3: The Average Ensemble Energy
- The probability of finding a molecule with energy \(E_i\) is equal to the fraction of the molecules with energy \(E_i\). The average energy is obtaining by multiplying \(E_i\) with its probability and summing over all \(i\): \[ \langle E \rangle = \sum_i E_i P_i \]
- 5.4: Heat Capacity at Constant Volume
- The heat capacity at constant volume, denoted \(C_V\), is defined to be the change in thermodynamic energy with respect to temperature.
- 5.6: Translational Partition Functions of Monotonic Gases
- Since the levels are very closely spaced for translation, a large number of translational states are accessible available for occupation by the molecules of a gas. This result is very similar to the result of the classical kinetic gas theory