A lattice contains \(N\) normal lattice sites and \(N\) interstitial lattice sites. The lattice sites are all distinguishable. \(N\) identical atoms sit on the lattice, \(M\) on the interstitial sites, and \(N-M\) on the normal sites ( \(N \gg M>1\) ). If an atom occupies a normal site, it has energy \(E=0\). If an atom occupies an interstitial site, it has energy \(E=\varepsilon\). Compute the internal energy and heat capacity as a function of temperature for this lattice.

Short Answer

Expert verified
Internal energy: \( U = M \varepsilon \frac{e^{-\varepsilon/(k_BT)}}{1+e^{-\varepsilon/(k_BT)}} \). Heat capacity: \( C = M \frac{\varepsilon^2}{k_BT^2} \frac{e^{-\varepsilon/(k_BT)}}{(1+e^{-\varepsilon/(k_BT)})^2} \).

Step by step solution

01

Understand the System

We have a lattice with two types of sites: normal sites and interstitial sites. There are N normal lattice sites and N interstitial lattice sites, both of which are distinguishable. We have N identical atoms where M atoms occupy the interstitial sites and N-M atoms occupy the normal sites.
02

Identify Energies

Atoms on normal sites have energy E=0, and atoms on interstitial sites have energy E=\(\varepsilon\).
03

Calculate Total Internal Energy

The total internal energy U is the sum of the energies of all atoms. As atoms on normal sites contribute zero energy and M atoms on interstitial sites contribute an energy of \(\varepsilon\): \[ U = M \varepsilon \]
04

Evaluate Partition Function

To compute the heat capacity, the partition function Z is needed. For each interstitial site, the canonical partition function considering both available states (energy 0 and \(\varepsilon\)) is: \[ Z = 1 + e^{-\varepsilon/(k_BT)} \]
05

Compute Average Energy per Atom

The average energy per atom on interstitial sites considering the probability distribution is: \[\langle E \rangle = \varepsilon \frac{e^{-\varepsilon/(k_BT)}}{Z} = \varepsilon \frac{e^{-\varepsilon/(k_BT)}}{1+e^{-\varepsilon/(k_BT)}} \] For M atoms, the total energy is then: \[ U = M \varepsilon \frac{e^{-\varepsilon/(k_BT)}}{1+e^{-\varepsilon/(k_BT)}} \]
06

Calculate Heat Capacity

Heat capacity can be computed by differentiating the internal energy with respect to the temperature T: \[ C = \frac{\partial U}{\partial T} \] Given the internal energy expression: \[ C = M \varepsilon \frac{\partial}{\partial T} \left( \frac{e^{-\varepsilon/(k_BT)}}{1+e^{-\varepsilon/(k_BT)}} \right) \] Applying the chain rule and simplifying: \[ C = M \varepsilon \left( -\frac{\varepsilon}{k_BT^2} \right) \frac{1}{(1+e^{-\varepsilon/(k_BT)})^2} \] This simplifies to: \[ C = M \frac{\varepsilon^2}{k_BT^2} \frac{e^{-\varepsilon/(k_BT)}}{(1+e^{-\varepsilon/(k_BT)})^2} \]

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Key Concepts

These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.

Lattice Sites
In this problem, we deal with a lattice that has two types of sites: normal and interstitial. Both types are distinguishable and each has exactly N sites. Think of these sites as 'places' where atoms can sit. Normal sites are just that—normal, with zero energy. Interstitial sites are special spots that give the atom an energy of \(\truevarepsilon\). Atoms can move between these sites, and our aim is to understand the energy properties of this system.
Partition Function
The partition function is a key concept in statistical mechanics. It's a sum of all possible states of a system, weighted by their energy and the temperature of the system. Here, the partition function Z for atoms choosing between a normal site (energy 0) and an interstitial site (energy \(\truevarepsilon\)) is: \[ Z = 1 + e^{-\truevarepsilon/(k_B T)} \] This equation means we are considering the relative probability of an atom being in either of the two possible energy states based on temperature T.
Heat Capacity Calculation
Heat capacity measures how much energy the lattice can store up as its temperature changes. We begin by finding the internal energy U. For M atoms on interstitial sites, the internal energy U is: \[ U = M \varepsilon \frac{e^{-\varepsilon/(k_B T)}}{1+ e^{-\varepsilon/(k_B T)}} \] To get the heat capacity C, we differentiate U with respect to T: \[ C = \frac{\truepartial U}{\truepartial T} \] Leading to: \[ C = M \varepsilon \left( -\frac{\varepsilon}{k_B T^2}\right) \frac{1}{(1+e^{-\truevarepsilon/(k_B T)})^2}\]Simplifying, we obtain: \[ C = M \frac{\varepsilon^2}{k_B T^2} \frac{e^{-\truevarepsilon/(k_B T)}}{(1+ e^{-\varepsilon/(k_B T)})^2 \]
Internal Energy
Internal energy (U) is the total energy of the atoms in the lattice. At normal sites, atoms contribute zero energy. At interstitial sites, atoms contribute an energy \(\truevarepsilon\). Total internal energy for all M atoms on interstitial sites is given by: \[ U = M \varepsilon \frac{e^{-\varepsilon/(k_B T)}}{1+ e^{-\varepsilon/(k_B T)}} \] This formula combines the energy contributions from all states an atom can be in, weighted by their respective probabilities.

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