Boltzmann factor and partition function

[Mjdgard]

I got a problem by finding an proper explanation.

The Boltzmann factor is defined as
P_j=\frac{1}{Z}e^{-\beta E_j}
I know, this is a probability distribution. but what exactly does it mean?

Wikipedia says: "The probability Pj that the system occupies microstate j" (link)
But that doesen make sense to me. cos \sum_i is equal to 1.
That would only make sense if i look at ONLY 1 particle and not a system with n particles IMHO.


Then i got this Partition function Z.
It is defined as Z=\sum_i g_i e^{- \frac{E_i}{k_BT}
with a factor gi denoting the degeneracy of energy states.

What is gi? i thought it's the number of different states in this energy level. but that's not likely cos in the Maxwell-Boltzmann distribution there's no pauli law...



thanks

 

[Hurkyl]

If it didn't add up to 1, then it wouldn't be a probability now, would it?

Anyways, the quote talks about the microstates of the system: in other words, it would include something about the state of each individual component of the system.