(a) Find the chemical potential and the total energy for distinguishable particles in the three dimensional harmonic oscillator potential (Problem 4.38). Hint: The sums in Equations5.785.78and5.795.79can be evaluated exactly, in this case−−no need to use an integral approximation, as we did for the infinite square well. Note that by differentiating the geometric series,

11-x=n=0xn

You can get

ddx(x1-x)=n=1(n+1)xn

and similar results for higher derivatives.

(b)Discuss the limiting caserole="math" localid="1658400905376" kBThω.
(c) Discuss the classical limit,role="math" localid="1658400915894" kBThω, in the light of the equipartition theorem. How many degrees of freedom does a particle in the three dimensional harmonic oscillator possess?

Short Answer

Expert verified

(a) The chemical potential is E=32Nhω1+e-hω/2kBT1-e-hω/2kBT

(b) The limiting cases for kBThωisE=32hωN

(c) The classical limit for kBThωisE=nfNkBT2

Step by step solution

01

Definition of Chemical potential

The chemical energy per mole of a substance is its "chemical potential." Gibbs free energy is defined here as chemical energy, and the substance can either be a single, pure substance or a system of several substances.

02

Find the chemical potential and the total energy

(a)

From problem 4.38:

En=n+32hω,n=0,1,2,...;dn=12n+1n+2

From Eq. 5.103

n=e-e-μ/kBTNn=n=0Nn=12eμ-32hω/kTn=0n+1n+2xn,Where,x=e-hω/kBT11-x=n=0xnx1-x=n=0xn+1

Now,

ddxx1-x=n=0n+1xnx1-x2=n=0n+1xnn=0n+1n+2xn=21-x3.N=eμ/kBT11-e-hω/kBT3μ=kBTInN+3In1-e-hω/kBT+32hω/kBT

In order to find energy, we have to calculate:

E=n=0Nnεn=hωeμ-3hω/2/kBT2n=0n+32n+1n+2xn,x=ehω/2/kBT

We use the same trick as before:

n=0n+1n+2xn=21-x3/.x3/2n=0n+1n+2xn+3/2=2x3/21-x/ddxn=0n+32n+1n+2xn+1/2=3x1/21+x1-x4n=0n+32n+1n+2xn=31+x1-x4

So, energy is:

E=hωeμ-3hω/2kBT231+ehω/2kBT1-ehω/2kBT,eμ-3hω/2kBT=N1-ehω/2kBT3E=32Nhω1+ehω/2kBT1-ehω/2kBT

03

Determine the Limits

(b)

ForkBThwe havee-hω/2kBT0

So energy is E=32hωN. . All particles are in the ground state.

04

Discuss the classical limits

(c)

ForkBThwe haveehω/2kBT01-hωkBT. So energy isE=3NkBT

Equipartition theorem says that energy of a system in thermal equilibrium is equal to:

E=nfNkBT2

Wherenf is number of degrees of freedom. In our case, particle has 6 degrees of freedom (3 kinetic and 3 potential).

Unlock Step-by-Step Solutions & Ace Your Exams!

  • Full Textbook Solutions

    Get detailed explanations and key concepts

  • Unlimited Al creation

    Al flashcards, explanations, exams and more...

  • Ads-free access

    To over 500 millions flashcards

  • Money-back guarantee

    We refund you if you fail your exam.

Over 30 million students worldwide already upgrade their learning with Vaia!

One App. One Place for Learning.

All the tools & learning materials you need for study success - in one app.

Get started for free

Most popular questions from this chapter

See all solutions

Recommended explanations on Physics Textbooks

View all explanations

What do you think about this solution?

We value your feedback to improve our textbook solutions.

Study anywhere. Anytime. Across all devices.

Sign-up for free