Degenerate matter total energy

In summary: Fermi energy of degenerate matter with fermions:\boxed{E_f = \frac{p_f^2}{2 m_n} = \frac{\hbar^2}{2 m_n} \left(\frac{3 N_0}{\pi}\right)^{\frac{2}{3}}}Fermi energy of degenerate matter with neutrons:\boxed{E_f = \frac{p_f^2}{2 m_n} = \frac{\hbar^2}{2 m_n} \left(\frac{3 M_0}{m_n \pi}\right)^{\frac{2}{3}}}In summary, degenerate matter is a state of matter where all energy states
  • #1
Orion1
973
3


Fermi energy:
[tex]E_f =\frac{\hbar^2 \pi^2}{2m L^2} n_f^2[/tex]

The number of states with energy less than [tex]E_f[/tex] is equal to the number of states that lie within a sphere of radius [tex]|\vec{n}_f|[/tex] in the region of n-space where nx, ny, nz are positive. In the ground state this number equals the number of fermions in the system:
[tex]N = 2\times\frac{1}{8}\times\frac{4}{3} \pi n_f^3[/tex]

The factor of two is because there are two spin states, the factor of 1/8 is because only 1/8 of the sphere lies in the region where all n are positive, the octant of positive quantum numbers.

[tex]n_f=\left(\frac{3 N}{\pi}\right)^{1/3}[/tex]

According to Wikipedia (ref. 1), the degenerate matter total energy is obtained by integrating the Fermi energy of each state over the allowed states:
[tex]E_t = {\int_0}^{N_0} E_f(N) dN = {3\over 5} N_0 E_f[/tex]

However, according to ref. 2, total energy is:
[tex]E_t = \frac{1}{8} \int_0 ^{N_0} E_f(N) dN[/tex]

1/8 is from the octant of positive quantum numbers in a sphere region where all n are positive.

My question is, why is the octant of positive quantum numbers included in the ref. 2 integration, but not included in the Wikipedia integration?

If the octant of positive quantum numbers is included in the integration, then why is the number of spin states also not included?

Also, I noticed that the Fermi energy equation in ref. 1 does not match the equation in ref. 2. Does this mean that the ref. 2 solution is incorrect?

Reference:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fermi_energy"
http://www.sfu.ca/~boal/385lecs/385lec18.pdf"
 
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  • #2
Well it doesent matter where you put your 1/8, as long as you do it and know why you do it. Athor of wiki is making this from the begining, the author of ref 2 does it afterwards, since you deal with quadratic entities, and they are symmetric with respect to sign interchange.

Also regarding reference 2, the energy for each state is [tex] E_n = n^2 p^2 h^2 \pi^2 / mL^2 [/tex]

So the author of ref 2 has already included the factor 2 from the number of spin states there ;-) But he has not explicity said that he has, so one has to be careful.

You can see if you get the true result using both references conventions, as a test for yourself

Anymore questions regarding this?
 
  • #3

[tex]E_t = {\int_0}^{N_0} E_f(N) dN = {\int_0}^{N_0} \frac{\hbar^2 \pi^2}{2m L^2} \left( \frac{3 N}{\pi} \right)^{2/3} dN[/tex]

[tex]E_t = \frac{3^{\frac{2}{3}} \pi^{\frac{4}{3}} \hbar^2}{2m L^2} {\int_0}^{N_0} N^{\frac{2}{3}} dN = \frac{3^{\frac{2}{3}} \pi^{\frac{4}{3}} \hbar^2}{2m L^2} \left( \frac{3}{5} N^{\frac{5}{3}} \right) = \frac{3^{\frac{5}{3}} \pi^{\frac{4}{3}} \hbar^2}{10 m L^2} N^{\frac{5}{3}}[/tex]

Degenerate matter total Fermi energy:
[tex]\boxed{E_t = \frac{3^{\frac{5}{3}} \pi^{\frac{4}{3}} \hbar^2}{10 m L^2} N^{\frac{5}{3}}}[/tex]
 
  • #4
Orion1 said:

[tex]E_t = {\int_0}^{N_0} E_f(N) dN = {\int_0}^{N_0} \frac{\hbar^2 \pi^2}{2m L^2} \left( \frac{3 N}{\pi} \right)^{2/3} dN[/tex]

[tex]E_t = \frac{3^{\frac{2}{3}} \pi^{\frac{4}{3}} \hbar^2}{2m L^2} {\int_0}^{N_0} N^{\frac{2}{3}} dN = \frac{3^{\frac{2}{3}} \pi^{\frac{4}{3}} \hbar^2}{2m L^2} \left( \frac{3}{5} N^{\frac{5}{3}} \right) = \frac{3^{\frac{5}{3}} \pi^{\frac{4}{3}} \hbar^2}{10 m L^2} N^{\frac{5}{3}}[/tex]

Degenerate matter total Fermi energy:
[tex]\boxed{E_t = \frac{3^{\frac{5}{3}} \pi^{\frac{4}{3}} \hbar^2}{10 m L^2} N^{\frac{5}{3}}}[/tex]


looks ok, good job!
 
  • #5
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  • #6
Wait 3sec and I'll check your calculations more carefully
 
  • #7
You intepretation is wrong.

the subscript 0 is perhaps confusing you...

You have entierly correct in post #3, but you must keep subscript 0:

[tex]E_t = \frac{3^{\frac{5}{3}} \pi^{\frac{4}{3}} \hbar^2}{10 m L^2} N_0^{\frac{5}{3}}[/tex]

That is the total energy of a system of N_0 identical fermions at T=0K.

The Fermi energy is defined as the maximum energy, i.e at particle # N_0
[tex]E_f =\frac{\hbar^2 \pi^2}{2m L^2} \left(\frac{3 N_0}{\pi}\right)^{2/3}[/tex]

Then it is a trivial thing to rewrite the total energy as something times E_f
 
  • #8

[tex]E_t = {\int_0}^{N_0} E_f(N) dN = {\int_0}^{N_0} \frac{\hbar^2 \pi^2}{2m L^2} \left( \frac{3 N}{\pi} \right)^{\frac{2}{3}} dN[/tex]

[tex]E_t = \frac{3^{\frac{2}{3}} \pi^{\frac{4}{3}} \hbar^2}{2m L^2} {\int_0}^{N_0} N^{\frac{2}{3}} dN = \frac{3^{\frac{2}{3}} \pi^{\frac{4}{3}} \hbar^2}{2m L^2} \left( \frac{3}{5} N_0^{\frac{5}{3}} \right) = \frac{3^{\frac{5}{3}} \pi^{\frac{4}{3}} \hbar^2}{10 m L^2} N_0^{\frac{5}{3}}[/tex]

Degenerate matter total Fermi energy:
[tex]\boxed{E_t = \frac{3^{\frac{5}{3}} \pi^{\frac{4}{3}} \hbar^2}{10 m L^2} N_0^{\frac{5}{3}}}[/tex]
 
  • #9
yes, and by using:

[tex]E_f =\frac{\hbar^2 \pi^2}{2m L^2} \left(\frac{3 N_0}{\pi}\right)^{2/3}[/tex]

You'll get the famous result:

[tex] E_t = \frac{3}{5}N_0E_f [/tex]
 
  • #10

Integration by substitution:
[tex]E_t = \frac{3}{5} N_0 E_f = \frac{3}{5} N_0 \left[ \frac{\hbar^2 \pi^2}{2m L^2} \left(\frac{3 N_0}{\pi}\right)^{2/3} \right] = \frac{3^{\frac{5}{3}} \pi^{\frac{4}{3}} \hbar^2}{10 m L^2} N_0^{\frac{5}{3}}[/tex]

[tex]\boxed{E_t = \frac{3}{5} N_0 E_f}[/tex]
 
  • #11

Degenerate total Fermi energy:
[tex]E_t = \frac{3^{\frac{5}{3}} \pi^{\frac{4}{3}} \hbar^2}{10 m L^2} N_0^{\frac{5}{3}}[/tex]

The elimination of L in favor of V:
[tex]L^2 = V^{\frac{2}{3}}[/tex]

Degenerate total Fermi energy:
[tex]E_t = \frac{3^{\frac{5}{3}} \pi^{\frac{4}{3}} \hbar^2 N_0^{\frac{5}{3}}}{10 m V_0^{\frac{2}{3}}}[/tex]

Degenerate Fermi pressure:
[tex]P_f = - \frac{\partial E}{\partial V}[/tex]

Integration by differentiation substitution:
[tex]P_f = - \frac{3^{\frac{5}{3}} \pi^{\frac{4}{3}} \hbar^2 N_0^{\frac{5}{3}}}{10 m} \left( \frac{V_0^{- \frac{2}{3}}}{dV} \right)[/tex]

Differentiation identity:
[tex]\frac{V^{-n}}{dV} = -n V^{-n - 1} = \left(-\frac{2}{3} \right) V^{-\frac{2}{3} - \frac{3}{3}} = \left(- \frac{2}{3} \right) V^{-\frac{5}{3}}[/tex]

[tex]N_0 = \frac{M_0}{m} \; \; \; \rho_0 = \frac{M_0}{V_0}[/tex]

Integration by substitution:
[tex]P_f = - \left(- \frac{2}{3} \right) \frac{3^{\frac{5}{3}} \pi^{\frac{4}{3}} \hbar^2}{10 m} \left( \frac{N_0}{V_0} \right)^{\frac{5}{3}} = \frac{3^{\frac{2}{3}} \pi^{\frac{4}{3}} \hbar^2}{5 m} \left( \frac{M_0}{m V_0} \right)^{\frac{5}{3}} = \frac{3^{\frac{2}{3}} \pi^{\frac{4}{3}} \hbar^2 \rho_0^{\frac{5}{3}}}{5 m^{\frac{8}{3}}}[/tex]

Degenerate Fermi pressure:
[tex]\boxed{P_f = \frac{3^{\frac{2}{3}} \pi^{\frac{4}{3}} \hbar^2 \rho_0^{\frac{5}{3}}}{5 m^{\frac{8}{3}}}}[/tex]

Is my equation solution for degenerate Fermi pressure incorrect?

Reference:
http://www.sfu.ca/~boal/385lecs/385lec18.pdf"
http://www.sfu.ca/~boal/385lecs/385lec19.pdf"
 
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  • #12
You have the answer in eq.3 in the souce 'lecture 19', is it difficult to see if the answers match??
 
  • #13


That degenerate Fermi pressure solution depends on if this solution for Fermion number is valid for a degenerate neutron star?

Fermion number:
[tex]\boxed{N_0 = \frac{M_0}{m_n}}[/tex]

key:
[tex]M_0[/tex] - total stellar mass
[tex]m_n[/tex] - neutron mass
 
  • #14
Orion1 said:


That degenerate Fermi pressure solution depends on if this solution for Fermion number is valid for a degenerate neutron star?

Fermion number:
[tex]\boxed{N_0 = \frac{M_0}{m_n}}[/tex]

key:
[tex]M_0[/tex] - total stellar mass
[tex]m_n[/tex] - neutron mass


What?

How to go from a fermi pressure in theory to a Neutron Star are some more steps dude.

What is your aim by doing all these calculations on degenerate matter?
 
  • #16
hmm one validates models by doing observation, but anyways, was just curious.
 

1. What is degenerate matter total energy?

Degenerate matter total energy is the sum of the rest mass energy and the kinetic energy of the fermions that make up the matter. In degenerate matter, the fermions have been squeezed together due to extreme pressure, causing their kinetic energy to increase and contribute significantly to the total energy of the system.

2. How is degenerate matter total energy different from regular matter?

Degenerate matter total energy is significantly higher than that of regular matter due to the increased kinetic energy of the fermions. Regular matter has a relatively low kinetic energy compared to its rest mass energy, while degenerate matter has a high kinetic energy component due to the compression of the fermions.

3. What causes degenerate matter to have a high total energy?

The high total energy of degenerate matter is primarily caused by the Pauli exclusion principle, which states that no two fermions can occupy the same quantum state simultaneously. This leads to an increase in kinetic energy as the fermions are squeezed together, resulting in a higher total energy for the system.

4. Can degenerate matter total energy be measured?

Yes, degenerate matter total energy can be measured using various techniques, such as observing the gravitational effects of the matter or analyzing the radiation emitted from it. However, due to the extreme conditions required for degenerate matter to form, it is not easily accessible for direct measurement.

5. How is degenerate matter total energy relevant in astrophysics?

Degenerate matter total energy is crucial in understanding the behavior and dynamics of compact objects in astrophysics, such as white dwarfs, neutron stars, and black holes. The high total energy of degenerate matter plays a significant role in determining the stability, mass, and other properties of these objects.

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