Average number of particles/subsystems in a state

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on calculating the average number of particles in subsystems of a thermal equilibrium system at temperature T, utilizing the Boltzmann constant (k). Key equations include the probability of a system being in a microstate, given by ##P_R = \frac{e^{-\beta E_R}} {\sum_{R} e^{-\beta E_R}}##, and the average number of particles in a state, expressed as ##\langle n_s\rangle = \frac{1}{e^{\beta \epsilon_s} -1}## for photons and ##\langle n_s\rangle = \frac{1}{e^{(\beta \epsilon_s -\mu)}+1}## for Fermi-Dirac statistics. The ambiguity in the question regarding the definitions of 'system' and 'subsystem' is highlighted, leading to confusion about the correct interpretation of the provided answer options.

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Homework Statement


A system in thermal equilibrium at temperature T consists of a large number
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of subsystems, each of which can exist only in two states of energy
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and
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, where
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. In the expressions that follow, k is the Boltzmann constant.

For a system at temperature T, the average number of subsystems in the state of energy
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is given by

  1. 2$.gif
  2. kT}}$.gif
  3. kT}$.gif
  4. kT}}$.gif
  5. kT}}{2}$.gif

Homework Equations


Probability of a system to be in a system-microstate of total energy ##E_R##,
##P_R = \frac{e^{-\beta E_R}} {\sum_{R} e^{-\beta E_R}} ##

The Attempt at a Solution


We have the constraint ##\sum_r n_r= N_0 ## and ## \sum_r n_r \epsilon_r = E_R##
Where, r labels the single particle states.
Therefore, the average number of particles in the sth 1 particle state,
##\langle n_s\rangle = \frac{\sum_R n_s e^{-\beta (\sum_r n_r \epsilon_r)}}{\sum_{R} e^{-\beta (\sum_r \epsilon_r)}}##

To proceed one needs the nature of the particles.
For example,
## \langle n_s\rangle = \frac{1}{e^{\beta \epsilon_s} -1}## for Photons
## \langle n_s\rangle = \frac{1}{e^{(\beta \epsilon_s -\mu)}+1}## for FD statistics etc.

How do i proceed without further info? The question seems to conflate states of the total system with the subsystem states. I think the question is problematic and ambiguous. Anyhow, the supplied 'correct' answer is option (B).
 
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The given options only makes sense if by 'system' they mean ensemble and by 'subsystem' they mean members of the ensemble.
Then, ##P(E_1)= \cfrac{e^{-\beta E_1}}{e^{-\beta E_1}+e^{-\beta E_2}}##
Again, ##P(E_1)= \cfrac{N_1}{N_0}. ## Therefore, ##N_1 = N_0\left(\cfrac{e^{-\beta E_1}}{e^{-\beta E_1}+e^{-\beta E_2}}\right)##
And hence, ##N_1 = N_0\left(\cfrac{1}{1+e^{-\beta \epsilon}}\right)## , where ## E_2-E_1= \epsilon## .

But, if they're talking about a single system, then the options don't make sense to me. But, this question appeared in the GRE, so they aren't likely to make such errors. So, what am i missing?
 

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