Homework 4

David Sirajuddin
Physics 715 - Statistical Mechanics
Professor Michael Ramsey-Musolf
April 12, 2010

1. Consider an ideal gas of diatomic molecules. Compute the specific heat associated with
the molecular vibrations CVvib (T ). Express your results in terms of the zero point energy
of vibration.
The vibrational energy n of a diatomic molecule may be modeled as a quantum harmonic oscillator, where




1
1
= n+
~ ,
n = n +
2
2

nN

where 0 = 21 is the zero point energy. The specific heat associated with vibrational
motion is computed as per the procedure:
(a) Compute the system canonical partition function QN associated with vibration
(b) Obtain the average energy per molecule, hEi, from QN
(c) The vibrational specific heat CVvib (T ) = hEi/T

(a) Compute the system canonical partition function QN

The canonical partition function in quantum statistical mechanics is represented by
the trace of the density matrix mn , or equivalently, by a sum over all states of the
system of the Boltzmann factor en :
QN = Tr =

en

n=0

where the inverse temperature = (kT )1 is defined in terms of Boltzmanns constant

k and the absolute temperature T . Expressing the energy n as prescribed above
provides a straightforward calculation of QN ,

Sirajuddin, David

Homework 4 Physics 715, Spring 2010

QN =

e(n+ 2 )

n=0

e 2 en

n=0
1

n=0

= e 2

en

n=0

= e 2
= e 2

e()
xn ,

x = e

n=0

The substitution x = exp() allows the identification of the series

X
n=0

xn =

1
1
=
1x
1 e

So that the infinite sum allows for the replacement above,

QN


1
= e
1 e


1
1
= 1
1 e
e 2
1
 1
1
= e 2 e 2
12



1
1
1
QN =
sinh

2
2

(1)

(b) Obtain the average energy per molecule,hEi, from QN

The definition of the canonical partition function QN is the trace of the density matrix
over all states for N particles in the system occupying a volume V . This implies a
probability function may be defined:
Pn =

1 n
e
QN

where Pn denotes the probability the system occupies a state n. Thus, the partition
function furnishes a normalization factor that enforces the probability of molecules
occupying all possible states n sum to unity:
2

Sirajuddin, David

Homework 4 Physics 715, Spring 2010

Pn =

1 X n
1
e
=
QN = 1
QN n
QN
| {z }
= QN

Thus, the average energy hEi may be obtained by weighting the probability function
by the energy n

hEi =

1 X
n en
QN n
| {z }

QN

1 QN
QN

which admits,
hEi =

ln QN

(2)

Recalling Eqn. (1) and letting = /2, the operations on the partition function QN
in Eqn. (2) are performed successively,

ln QN = ln

1 1
2 sinh

1
1
ln
2
sinh
= ln 2 + ln sinh

=
[ln 2 + ln sinh ]

cosh
=
0+
sinh
| {z }
= ln

ln QN
ln QN

ln QN

= coth

Noting that = /2 implies

1
=
2

Such that the average energy is obtained,

1
hEi = coth
2
3


(3)

Sirajuddin, David

Homework 4 Physics 715, Spring 2010

(c) CVvib (T ) = hEi/T

The vibrational specific heat at constant volume is given by CVvib = hEi/T , where
hEi is provided by Eqn. (3). The derivative is computed more readily by translation
/T /:

1 1
;
=
T
T
2 kT 2
1 1
=
2 kT 2
=

Where the relation = (kT )1 was used. Employing the above translation for differential operators, and invoking the average energy hEi (Eqn. (3)) allows for the
computation of the vibrational specific heat

1 1 hEi
2 kT 2



1 1 1
1

coth

2 kT 2 2
2


1
1

coth

4 kT 2
2
  


1
1
1
2

csch
2
4 kT
2
2


1 2
1
2
+
csch

8 kT 2
2
 2


1 1
1
1
2

csch
2 2
kT 2
2 kT

CVvib (T ) hEi/T =
=
=
=
=
=

Recalling the zero-point energy 0 = 12 , the final form of the specific heat is obtained,

CVvib (T ) =

 
k  0  2
0
csch2
2 kT
kT

(4)

Sirajuddin, David

Homework 4 Physics 715, Spring 2010

2. A container is divided into two parts by a partition containing a small hole of diameter
D (Figure 1). Helium gas in the two parts is held at temperatures T1 = 150 K and
T2 = 300 K, respectively, through heating of the walls.
(a) How does the diameter D determine the physical process by which the gases come
into steady state?
The appropriate insights are described by Huang, pgs. 95-96 [1], in the discussion
of effusion.
(i) Small diameter hole (`1,2  D)
If the hole diameter is small, then the mean free paths of particles from either
side of the chamber, `1,2 , is large compared to the hole diameter D (`1,2  D).
This implies the gas particles will not interact strongly as they traverse the hole
(i.e. collisionless, or effusion regime). A two-way leakage will occur between
both sides of the chamber until steady state is obtained, marked by the condition
of the fluxes from both sides of the chamber are equal (I1 = I2 ).
(ii) Large diameter hole `1,2  D)
If the hole diameter D is large, then the mean free paths of particles from either
side of the chamber, `1,2 , is small by comparison (`1,2  D). These conditions
allow for many collisions between gas particles while traveling through the hole
(i.e. collisional, or hydrodynamic, regime). Steady state is then achieved by a
measure of the interactions between the particles being balanced. Specifically,
this condition is reached upon the pressures in both chambers being matched
(P1 = P2 ).
(b) What is the ratio of the mean free paths `1 /`2 between teh two parts when D  `1,2
and the system has reached a steady state?
The diameter D of the hole being much smaller than the mean free paths ell1,2 of
gas particles in either part of the chamber corresponds to the effusion regime (i).
As per Figure 1, the small hole of diameter D is normal to the x-direction. In the
absence of collisions (effusion), the normal flux I incident on the hole from one
side of the chamber is proportional to the velocity of the molecules ~v as prescribed
by the distribution function f (~p):

dI = d3 p(~v x)f (~p)

= d3 pv[cos()]f (~p)
dI = d3 pvx f (~p)

(5)

for the normal velocity vx . Physically, the velocity vx must be positive in order to
impinge on the small hole. Given that the scenario of interest involves steady state
conditions, the distribution function f (~p) is taken to be the Maxwell-Boltzmann
distribution, f0 (~p):
5

Sirajuddin, David

Homework 4 Physics 715, Spring 2010

f0 (~p) =

n
2
ep /2mkT
3/2
(2mkT )

where the quanties k, n, and m denote Boltzmanns constant and the gas particle
density and mass, respectively. All other quantities are as previously defined.
This definition facilitates integration of Eqn. (5) such that total flux I on the
small hole from one side of the chamber may be obtained. The result is quoted
from Huang [1],
Z

d3 pvx f0 (~p)

I =
vx >0

kT
I = n
2m
T
I
As described in part (a), steady state implies the fluxes are equal,
I1 = I2
r

k p


k p


n1 
T1 = n2 
 2m p

p 2m
n1 T1 = n2 T2
r
n2
T1
=
n1
T2

T2

(6)

The above relation may be put in terms of the mean free paths `1,2 by noting
`1,2 = (n1,2 )1 for an interaction cross-section . This implies,
`1
=
`2

T1
=
T2

150 K
=
300 K

1
2

(7)

(c) What is `1 /`2 when D  `1,2 ?

The condition D  `1,2 is indicative of the hydrodynamic regime (ii) as in part
(a). Accordingly, equilibrium is established upon the pressures P1,2 are balanced.
For temperatures on this scale, helium gas is approximately ideal, such that it is
permissible to express P = nkT as per the ideal gas law.
P1
n1
k T1
n2
n1
`1
`2

= P2
= n2
k T2
T1
=
T2
T1
=
(`1,2 = (n1,2 )1 )
T2
6

Sirajuddin, David

Homework 4 Physics 715, Spring 2010

Thus,

T1
150 K
1
`1
=
=
=

`2
T2
300 K
2

(8)

3. (Huang 7.2) Consider a classical system of N noninteracting diatomic molecules enclosed in a box of volume V and temperature T . The Hamiltonian for a single molecule
is taken to be
p1 , p~2 , ~r1 , r~2 ) = 1 (p21 + p22 ) + 1 K|~r1 ~r2 |2
H(~
2m
2
where p~1 , p~2 , ~r1 , ~r2 , are the momenta and coordinates of the two atoms in a molecule.
Find
The solution presented proceeds by the extraction of all desired parameters from both
the canonical partition function QN and the grand partition function Z(z, V, T ), defined in terms of the fugacity z = e , volume V , and temperature T , where the inverse
temperature = (kT )1 and is the chemical potential. This formalism allows for
interchanges of particle number N between systems. Given that the system of interest
is singular, the use of the grand partition function is, in some sense, overly robust for
the intended purpose since the canonical partition function QN of the system may be
used to obtain compatible results. The distinction between the two formalisms will
be evident in that the grand partition admits factors proportional to the fugacity z in
the free energy calculation. It should be noted that the use of the parameter z is only
valid due to the system of interest consisting of indistinguishable particles. Further
use of the grand partition function proceeds with the presumptuous enforcement that
the chemical potential is known. The grand partition function Z(, V, T ) is used for
illustrative purposes, to show that consistent results may be obtained in this fashion,
while the problem statement intends for the canonical partition function QN is to be
used.
(a) the Helmholtz free energy of the system;
The free energy F is found by aid of Huang Eqn. (7.64):
1
1
F (N, V ) = ln QN (V ) = ln(Z/z N )

(9)

P
N
where the definition of the grand partition function Z(z, V, T ) =
N =0 z QN (V, T )
has been used. Thus, calculation of the grand partition function Z(z, V, T ) allows
for the computation of the free energy F . the grand partition function is defined
in terms of the canonical partition function QN (V, T ) of the system,
Z
QN (V, T ) =

d3N p~1 d3N p~2 d3N ~r1 d3N ~r2 H(~

p1 ,~
p2 ,~
r1 ,~
r2 )
e
N
6N
(2!) N !h
7

(10)

Sirajuddin, David

Homework 4 Physics 715, Spring 2010

The integration is extended over both atoms making up each diatomic molecule
of the gas consisting of N molecules. A factor of 1/N ! has been introduced in
suit with proper Boltzmann counting given the molecules are indistinguishable.
The division by a factor (2!)N is included to prevent overcounting of configurations
given two atoms per diatomic molecule. Further, a factor of h6N has been included
N

Q 3
Q3
3N
3N
3N 3N
N N
for the normalization over (d p~1 d ~r1 )(~p2 d d ~r2 ) =
i=1 dp1i dr1i )
j=1 dp2j dr2j
for vector components (i, j) = {1, 2, 3}. The cardinality of the integration then
admits 6N factors of dimensions dpdr h. This normalization is substantiated
in the discussion prior to Eqn. (7.64) of Huang.
For convenience, QN is rewritten in terms of the single molecule partition function
Q1 :
1
QN (V, T ) =
N!

Z
|

QN (V, T ) =

d3 p~1 d3 p~2 d3~r1 d3~r2 H(~

p1 ,~
p2 ,~
r1 ,~
r2 )
e
(2!)h6
{z
= Q1

N
}

1 N
Q
N! 1

(11)

Which is justified by noting each partition function for each molecule gives identical contributions.
in the problem statement, the single partition function
Given the Hamiltonian H
Q1 may be computed:

Q1



Z
2
1
1
3
3
3
3
2
2
d p~1 d p~2 d ~r1 d ~r2 exp
(p + p2 ) + K|~r1 ~r2 |
=
(2!)h6
2m 1
2
Z
Z
Z
2
2
K
1
2
=
d3 p~1 e 2m p1 d3 p~2 e 2m p2 d3~r1 d3~r2 e 2 |~r1 ~r2 |
6
2h
|
{z
}|
{z
}
(2mkT )3/2

Q1 =

1
(2mkT )6/2
6
h

(2mkT )3/2

d3~r1 d3~r2 e

K
|~
r1 ~
r2 |2
2

The integration over space is furnished by the transformation to the relative and
~ 12 = 1 (~r1 + ~r2 ), respectively. The
center-of-mass coordinates, ~r12 = ~r1 ~r2 and R
2
choice of relative coordinates was chosen given the convenient transformation of
the exponential argument of the integrand. Any linear combination of the coordinates (~r1 , ~r2 ) may be used for the remaining choice in the coordinate pair
transformation however, some selections may be more convenient and intuitive.
Here, the remaining coordinates selected are center-of-mass coordinates, motivated by both the conventional pairing of relative to CM coordinates, and the
ease of translation:
~ 12
d3~r1 d3~r2 d3~r12 d3 R
8

Sirajuddin, David

Homework 4 Physics 715, Spring 2010

where it may be shown that the Jacobian determinant is identical to unity. Thus,
the above equation is equivalent to
1
=
(2mkT )3
2h6

Q1

3~

d R12

d3~r12 e

K 2
r
2 12

~ 12 over all space occupying the system

Integration the center-of-mass coordinates
R
R 3
~
admits a factor of the volume V ( d R12 = V ), and evaluation of the remaining
Gaussian integral is facilitated by the change of variables, r12,i ui for ~r12 =
Q
3
i ,
i=1 r12,i x
r
ui =

K
r12,i dr12,i =
2

2
dui
K

Which provides the following replacements in the integrand above,

2
r12

=u

and d ~r12 =

2
K

3/2

d ~u =

2kT
K

3/2

d3~u

Thus,

Q1

V
(2mkT )3
=
2h6

2kT
K

3/2 Z

d3~ueu
| {z }
= 3/2

3/2

V
2kT
(2mkT )3
6
2h
K
"

3/2 #N
1
V
2kT
=
(2mkT )3
N ! 2h6
K

Q1 =
QN

(12)

The free energy F may be calculated directly from Eqn. (9) using this canonical
partition function QN , where the definition = (kT )1 is invoked,
F = kT ln QN

"

3/2 #N
1
V
2kT
(2mkT )3
= kT ln
6

N ! 2h
K
"

3/2 #
V
2kT
= +kT ln N ! N kT
(2mkT )3
2h6
K
 



V
3
2kT
F = kT ln N ! N kT ln
+ 3 ln (2mkT ) + ln
2h6
2
K
9

Sirajuddin, David

Homework 4 Physics 715, Spring 2010

A more tractable form of the free energy may be obtained by approximating the
term ln N ! ' N ln N N as per Stirlings approximation, admitting



 
3
2kT
V
+ 3 ln (2mkT ) + ln
F ' (N kT ln N N kT ) N kT ln
2h6
2
K





V
3
2kT
= N kT ln N + ln(e) + ln
+ 3 ln (2mkT ) + ln
2h6
2
K
Thus, the form of the free energy F calculated as per the canonical partition
function QN is given by,

 



eV
3
2kT
F (N, V, T ) ' N kT ln
+ 3 ln (2mkT ) + ln
2N h6
2
K

(13)

where ln e = 1, i.e. e exp(1).

Alternatively, an expression for the free energy (in terms of the fugacity z) may
obtained from the grand partition function Z. Rewriting Eqn. (12) according to,
"
Q1 =

V 1/3
2h2

8 3
K
{z

1/2

#3
m 9/2
}

Q1 = 3 9/2
1 N
Q
QN =
N! 1
1 3N 9N/2
QN =

N!
where the dependence on the parameter has been left in tact to ease later
computation. The grand partition function Z(z, V, T ) is then calculated directly,

Z(z, V, T ) =

z N QN (V, T )

N =0

X 1
z N 3N 9N/2
N
!
N
X 1
(z3 9/2 )N
=
N
!
N
X 1
=
N
N
!
N
=

Z(z, V, T ) = exp(z3 9/2 ) ,

10

X N
N

N!

= e

(14)

Sirajuddin, David

Homework 4 Physics 715, Spring 2010

Then, by Eqn. (9), the free energy F is determined,

1
F = ln(Z/z N )

1
= ln(exp(z3 9/2 )/z N )



= kT ln exp(z3 (kT )9/2 ) ln z N


= kT z3 (kT )9/2 N ln z
= z3 (kT )11/2 + N kT ln e/kT ,
z = e = e/kT


V (2)9/2 3
kT
= z
m (kT )11/2 + N 
6
3/2
2h K
kT

|
{z
}
3

Which provides the final solution,


V (2)9/2 3 /kT
F (, N, V, T ) = N
m e
(kT )11/2
6
2h
K


(15)

Notice that despite the manifestly distinct apperance of this result obtained via
the grand partition function Z, this formulation is completely compatible with the
free energy result (13) obtained by way of the canonical ensemble. In particular,
it appears that the right-hand term is not proportional to the number of gas
particles N (!) The fact that N does not appear here is an artifact, in that the
free energy does indeed contain this dependence, yet it is not as readily evident
in this expression. Thus, this particular form is not as transparent as result (13).
The suppression of the particle number N traces back to the replacement of the
infinite series with the exponential function in Eqn. (14). In passing, it is noted
that the free energy may be written generally as F = N P V , enabling the
pressure of the system to be readily determined,
P =

(2)9/2 m3 /kT
e
(kT )11/2
2h6 K

(b) the specific heat at constant volume;

The remaining two parts of the problem may be calculated directly from either
the canonical or grand partition functions. The grand partition function Z is used
here. The specific heat at constant volume, CV ,
CV =

E
T

where the energy E is extracted from the Z (or QN ) according to Huang Eqn.
(7.37):
11

Sirajuddin, David

Homework 4 Physics 715, Spring 2010




E =
ln Z(z, V, T ) ,
or
ln QN

ln Z(z, V, T )
E = +kT 2
T
Translating differential operators,

=
T



1

2 = kT 2
k
T

Thus,

ln Z(z, V, T )
T

3
9/2
ln ez (kT )
kT 2
T

kT 2
z3 (kT )9/2
T
9 2 3
kT z (kT )7/2
2
9 3
z (kT )11/2
2

E = kT 2
=
=
=
E =

(16)

Seeking the specific heat CV hN ikT , the expectation value of hN i is computed

by Eqn. (7.36) of Huang,

ln Z(z, V, T )
z
 3 9/2 

= z ln ez (kT )
z

 3
= z
z (kT )9/2
z
hN i = z3 (kT )9/2
hN i = z

(17)

Combining Eqns. (16) and (17), the energy E may be expressed in terms of
particle number hN i:
9 3
z (kT )11/2
2
9 3
=
z (kT )9/2 (kT )
2 | {z }

E =

= hN i

9
E =
hN ikT
12 2

Sirajuddin, David

Homework 4 Physics 715, Spring 2010

Then, the specific heat CV = E/T ,

9
CV = hN ik
2

(18)

As calculated using the grand partition function Z. The identical expression with
replacement hN i N is obtained when the canonical partition function QN is
employed.
(c) the mean square molecule diameter h|~r1 ~r2 |2 i.
The grand partition function Z is used to calculate the mean square molecular diameter h|~r1 ~r2 |2 i. Similar to the canonical partition function, Z =
P
N
N z QN (V, T ) presents a normalization factor such that a probability function
PN may be defined,
z N QN (V, T )
PN = P N
N z QN (V, T )
which describes the probability of a system in a state with N particles. The mean
square diameter is then determined by the definition of an ensemble average:
2

r ~r |2 iz N QN (V, T )
N h|~
P1 N2
N z QN (V, T )

h|~r1 ~r2 | i =

(19)



R
Noting that QN d3~r1 d3~r2 exp 2 K|~r1 ~r2 |2 , the square diameter may be
extracted by differentiation with respect to the parameter K, which is contained
in the constant 3 , defined in part (a) in the calculation of Q1 .

Z
= |~r1 ~r2 |2 Z(z, V, T )
K
2
Implying Eqn. (19) may be rewritten in order to find the h|~r1 ~r2 |2 i,

13

Sirajuddin, David

Homework 4 Physics 715, Spring 2010

2 Z(z, V, T )/K

Z(z, V, T )

ln Z(z, V, T )
2kT
K

3
9/2
2kT
ln ez (kT )
K

z3 (kT )9/2
2kT
K 


V (2)9/2 3
2kT
z
m (kT )9/2
K
2h6 K 3/2
|
{z
}
3

  
3 1
V (2)9/2 3
m (kT )9/2
2kT z
6
3/2
2 K 2h K
|
{z
}

h|~r1 ~r2 |2 i =
=
=
=
=

h|~r1 ~r2 |2 i = +

3kT 3
z (kT )9/2
K

which implies,

h|~r1 ~r2 |2 i =

3hN ikT
K

(20)

where the mean particle number hN i = z3 (kT )9/2 . Again, the identical result is
obtained using the canonical partition function with the replacement hN i N .
4. (Huang 7.3) Repeat problem (7.2), using the Hamiltonian
p1 , p~2 , ~r1 , r~2 ) = 1 (p2 + p2 ) + |r12 r0 |
H(~
2
2m 1
where  and r0 are given positive constants and r12 |~r1 ~r2 |.
5. An ideal classical (Maxwell-Boltzmann) gas of N particles at temperature T is in the
spherical (3-dimensional) potential well

V (r) =

V0 ln(r/a) ,
,

r<a
ra

(a) Write down the normalized distribution of particles in 6-dimensional phase space
(~r, p~).
Given a Maxwell-Boltzmann gas, the distribution function f (~r, p~) may be written
as per Huang (4.27):
14

Sirajuddin, David

Homework 4 Physics 715, Spring 2010

f (~r, p~) = f0 (~p)eV (r)/kT

where f0 (~p) is the Maxwell-Boltzmann distriution function such that
n, the total particle density,
f0 (~p) =

d3 p~f0 (~p) =

n
p2 /2mkT
e
(2mkT )3/2

The isotropic potential V (r) restricts the volume V of the system and allows for
the definition of the particle density n in terms of the particle number N and
the length parameter a, i.e. V = 43 a3 n = N/V = 3N/4a3 . To express a
normalized distribution function f(~r, p~), seek a normalization factor A such that,
(~r, p~)
f(~r, p~) = Af
with the condition
Z

f(~r, p~)d3~rd3 p~ = 1
Z

A f (~r, p~) = 1

d3~reV (r)/kT = 1

d3~reV (r)/kT = 1

d p~f0 (~p)
| {z }
=n

An

Using the expression for the potential V (r), integral may be evaluated,

15

(21)

Sirajuddin, David

Homework 4 Physics 715, Spring 2010

d3~reV (r)/kT
Z
Z
d
eV (r)/kT r2 dr
=
| 4{z } 0
= 4
Z a
Z
 2
V0 ln(r/a)/kT 2
(r>0)/kT

e
r dr + 4 eV
r dr
= 4
a
0
|
{z
}

= 0 for V (r)

 r V0 /kT

r2 dr
a
Z0 a  2 
r
= 4
dr V0 /kT aV0 /kT
r
0
Z a
= 4aV0 /kT
drr2V0 /kT
= 4

0
V0 /kT

4a
a3V0 /kT
3 V0 /kT
4a3
=
3 V0 /kT
=

Inserting result into Eqn. (21) provides the value of the normalization constant

A,

An

d3~reV (r)/kT = 1

An

4a3
3 V0 /kT

= 1

3 V0 /kT
3 V0 /kT
=
A =
;
3
4a n
3N

n=

N
(4/3)a3

Then, the normalized distribution f(~r, p~) may be written down,

(~r, p~)
f(~r, p~) = Af
0 (~p)eV (r)/kT
= Af

1 3 V0 /kT kT1
f(~r, p~) =
e
4a3 (2mkT )3/2
16

p2
+V
2m

(r)

(22)

Sirajuddin, David

Homework 4 Physics 715, Spring 2010

(b) Find the mean energy of a particle, , where

p2
+ V (r)
2m
The average energy is calculated routinely,
=

R
= R

df(~r, p~)
,
df(~r, p~)

where d = d3~rd3 p~

Noting the definition of , result (22) may be recased:

f(~r, p~) f() =

1 3 V0 /kT /kT
e
4a3 (2mkT )3/2

Inserting f() into the relation for the average energy , the multiplicative prefactors cancel,
df(~r, p~)

= kT 2
ln
= R
T
df(~r, p~)
R

Z
d exp(/kT )

Computing the integral,

Z


p2
+ V (r)
d exp(/kT ) =
2m
Z
Z
3
2
=
d p~ exp(p /2mkT ) d3~r exp(V (r)/kT )
Z

1
d p~d ~r exp
kT
3

Where the right-hand integral was computed in part (a):

Z
=

d3~r exp(V (r)/kT ) =

4a3
3 V0 /kT

And, integral is a Gaussian integral that introduces a factor of (2mkT )3/2 .

Thus,


4a3

3/2
= kT
ln (2mkT )
T
3 V0 /kT


3
2
3
= kT
ln(2mkT ) + ln(4a ) ln(3 V0 /kT )
T 2


3
3
2
3
= kT
ln(2mk) + ln T + ln(4a ) ln(3 V0 /kT )
T 2
2

3  3

3

= kT 2
+
ln T + 
ln(4a )
ln(3 V0 /kT )
ln(2mk)



|T 2 {z
} 2 |T{z } |T {z
} T

=0

= 1/T

17

=0

Sirajuddin, David

Homework 4 Physics 715, Spring 2010

Evaluating derivative :

ln(3 V0 /kT )
T


1
V0
=
+ 2
3 V0 /kT
kT
1
V0
=
T 3kT V0
=

Combining these results in the relation for admits the final result,


1
1
V
3




0
2



= kT

2
T
T 3kT V0
implying,

= kT

V0
3

2 3kT V0


(23)

(c) The net energy of a gas is E = N  and the heat capacity is C = dE/dT . Compute
C(T ).
Using result (23) above, the heat capacity calculation proceeds directly,
 

d(N )
d
V0
dE
3
=
= N

C=
kT
dT
dT
dT
2 3kT V0


3
V0
d
V0
= Nk

+ N kT
2 3kT V0
dT 3kT V0
|
{z
}

(3kT V0 )2 3kV0




3
3kV0
V0

= Nk

2 3kT V0
(3kT V0 )2


3
3kV0
Nk
C =
(3kT V0 ) V0
3kT V0 2
3kT V0
which yields,


Nk
9
1
3kV0
C(T ) =
kT V0
3kT V0 2
2
3kT V0

(24)

References
[1] Huang, Kerson Statistical Mechanics 1987. John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Canada.
[2] Ramsey-Musolf, Michael Physics 715 - Statistical Mechanics Class Notes, University of
Wisconsin - Madison. Spring 2010.
18