Chapter 2: Q. 2.32 (page 79)
Find an expression for the entropy of the two-dimensional ideal gas considered in Problem . Express your result in terms of ,and.
Short Answer
The Entropy of the two-dimensional ideal gaas is
Chapter 2: Q. 2.32 (page 79)
Find an expression for the entropy of the two-dimensional ideal gas considered in Problem . Express your result in terms of ,and.
The Entropy of the two-dimensional ideal gaas is
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Get started for freeFun with logarithms.
Simplify the expression. (That is, write it in a way that doesn't involve logarithms.)
Assuming that , prove that . (Hint: Factor out the from the argument of the logarithm, so that you can apply the approximation of part of the previous problem.)
The mathematics of the previous problem can also be applied to a one-dimensional random walk: a journey consisting of steps, all the same sic, cache chosen randomly to be cither forward or backward. (The usual mental image is that of a drunk stumbling along an alley.)
(a) Where are you most likely to find yourself, after the end of a long random walk?
(b) Suppose you take a random walk of steps (say each a yard long). About how far from your starting point would you expect to be at the end?
(c) A good example of a random walk in nature is the diffusion of a molecule through a gas; the average step length is then the mean free path, as computed in Section Using this model, and neglecting any small numerical factors that might arise from the varying step size and the multidimensional nature of the path, estimate the expected net displacement of an air molecule (or perhaps a carbon monoxide molecule traveling through air) in one second, at room temperature and atmospheric pressure. Discuss how your estimate would differ if the clasped time or the temperature were different. Check that your estimate is consistent with the treatment of diffusion in Section
Suppose you flip coins.
What is the probability of getting exactly heads and tails? (Hint: First write down a formula for the total number of possible outcomes. Then, to determine the "multiplicity" of the "macrostate," use Stirling's approximation. If you have a fancy calculator that makes Stirling's approximation unnecessary, multiply all the numbers in this problem by , or , or, until Stirling's approximation becomes necessary.)
What is the probability of getting exactly heads and tails?
For an Einstein solid with each of the following values of N and q , list all of the possible microstates, count them, and verify formula
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
(e)
(f) anything
(g) N= anything,
Consider again the system of two large, identical Einstein solids treated in Problem .
(a) For the case , compute the entropy of this system (in terms of Boltzmann's constant), assuming that all of the microstates are allowed. (This is the system's entropy over long time scales.)
(b) Compute the entropy again, assuming that the system is in its most likely macro state. (This is the system's entropy over short time scales, except when there is a large and unlikely fluctuation away from the most likely macro state.)
(c) Is the issue of time scales really relevant to the entropy of this system?
(d) Suppose that, at a moment when the system is near its most likely macro state, you suddenly insert a partition between the solids so that they can no longer exchange energy. Now, even over long time scales, the entropy is given by your answer to part (b). Since this number is less than your answer to part (a), you have, in a sense, caused a violation of the second law of thermodynamics. Is this violation significant? Should we lose any sleep over it?
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