Boltzmann Distribution Derivation Question

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the Boltzmann Distribution, specifically focusing on the interpretation of partial derivatives related to the number of particles and energy in the context of statistical mechanics. Participants explore the implications of treating certain quantities as constants versus variables and the application of partial derivatives in this framework.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants question why the partial derivative of the total number of particles \( N \) with respect to a specific number of particles \( N_j \) is considered to be 1, while others argue it should be 0 since \( N \) is constant.
  • There is a discussion about the interpretation of partial derivatives, with one participant suggesting that if \( A = x+y+z \) and \( A \) is constant, then the partial derivative with respect to \( x \) should be 0.
  • Another participant clarifies that \( N \) is the sum of \( N_j \) and has a partial derivative with respect to \( N_j \), which does not change despite the constraint that \( N \) is constant.
  • Participants mention the method of Lagrange multipliers as a potential way to clarify the relationships between the variables and their derivatives.
  • One participant expresses confusion over the notes and acknowledges the complexity of the topic, indicating a need for further understanding.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the interpretation of the partial derivatives in the context of the Boltzmann Distribution. Multiple competing views remain regarding the treatment of \( N \) as a constant versus a variable.

Contextual Notes

There are unresolved assumptions regarding the definitions of the variables and the implications of treating certain quantities as constants. The discussion highlights the complexity of applying partial derivatives in this context.

kidsasd987
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Hello, I have a question about Boltzmann Distribution.

I wonder why partial N of Nj is 1 and partial U of Nj=Ej. because N is constant, partial N of Nj has to be 0 and Partial Nj of U has to be 0 as well.

They are constants so, to make sense of the equation, alpha and beta have to be 0 but this is still absurd.

Can anyone tell me why this is true?
 

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kidsasd987 said:
Hello, I have a question about Boltzmann Distribution.

I wonder why partial N of Nj is 1 and partial U of Nj=Ej. because N is constant, partial N of Nj has to be 0 and Partial Nj of U has to be 0 as well.
With partial N of Nj you seem to mean ##\partial N\over \partial N_j##, right ?

Well, if ##\ \ A = x+y+z\ \ ## then what is ##\ \ {\partial A\over \partial x}\ \ ## according to you ?
 
BvU said:
With partial N of Nj you seem to mean ##\partial N\over \partial N_j##, right ?

Well, if ##\ \ A = x+y+z\ \ ## then what is ##\ \ {\partial A\over \partial x}\ \ ## according to you ?

if A is const, isn't it 0 where x is 0? or y,z is depedent on x where partial_x (y+z)=-1.
N is not a function. it is a constant, according to the second and third screen shot. on the second screen shot, it says we are multiplying constants by zero.Well I thought, it would make sense if N is a function because we are dealing with some unknown N number of particles. then, partial_Nj (N)=1. but since the slide says Partial_Nj(N) is 0, so.. I got lost.
 
Last edited:
kidsasd987 said:
N is not a function. it is a constant
N is ##\sum N_j## and as such has a partial derivative with respect to ##N_j##. Look up the definition of partial derivative. That doesn't change because a constraint (##N## is constant) is imposed.
kidsasd987 said:
on the second screen shot, it says we are multiplying constants by zero.
That would be the sheet with "13/28" and it's nonsense. (I understand your question a lot better now :smile:)

If you look up the method of Lagrange multipliers perhaps it'll become a bit clearer, in the sense that at an extremum a necessary condition is that the gradients are linearly dependent. Hence these Lagrange multipliers ##\alpha## and ##\beta##.
It certainly isn't true that all ##\ \ {\partial \phi\over \partial N_j} \ \ ## and ##\ \ {\partial \psi\over \partial N_j} \ \ ## are zero.
 
BvU said:
N is ##\sum N_j## and as such has a partial derivative with respect to ##N_j##. Look up the definition of partial derivative. That doesn't change because a constraint (##N## is constant) is imposed.
That would be the sheet with "13/28" and it's nonsense. (I understand your question a lot better now :smile:)

If you look up the method of Lagrange multipliers perhaps it'll become a bit clearer, in the sense that at an extremum a necessary condition is that the gradients are linearly dependent. Hence these Lagrange multipliers ##\alpha## and ##\beta##.
It certainly isn't true that all ##\ \ {\partial \phi\over \partial N_j} \ \ ## and ##\ \ {\partial \psi\over \partial N_j} \ \ ## are zero.

Thanks a lot. I spent quite a lot of time on figuring out what went wrong in the note and what I did wrong.
Thank you!
 

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