Change in entropy in an isolated system

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around deriving an equation for the change in entropy in an isolated micro-canonical system containing N particles during an adiabatic expansion from volume V1 to volume V2. Participants are exploring the implications of thermodynamic principles in this context.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants are attempting to understand the relationship between heat, work, and internal energy in an adiabatic process. Questions arise regarding the implications of a thermally isolated system and whether temperature remains constant during the expansion.

Discussion Status

There is an ongoing exploration of the concepts involved, with some participants questioning the correctness of initial assumptions and equations. Guidance has been offered regarding the definitions of thermally isolated systems and the nature of work done during adiabatic expansion, but no consensus has been reached on the approach to the problem.

Contextual Notes

Participants are navigating the complexities of thermodynamic definitions and the implications of an adiabatic process, with specific attention to the behavior of temperature and internal energy in a micro-canonical ensemble.

Jenkz
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Homework Statement



Derive an equation for the change in entropy that occurs in an isolated (micro-canonical) system containing N particles, if an adiabatic expansion from volume V1 to volume V1 takes place. Show that the number of microstates is given by V^N.

Homework Equations



Entropy S = K_{b} ln \Omega
Where \Omega is multiplicity, the number of microstates for distinguishable partciles= N!/\Pi_{i}n_{j}!

The Attempt at a Solution



Ok I'm not too sure where to start. I know that dQ = 0 as this is an adiabatic expansion.
Meaning dU = dW = - NK_{b}T ln (V2/V1), but I'm not sure if this helps anything.

I also know that a microcanonical system is thermally isolated and has a fixed N. So would thermally isolated mean dT = 0? in which case dU = 0 ... confused.

please help!
 
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thermally isolated, so Q=0, means all the Work goes into changing the Temperature.
How much Work is done during an adiabatic expansion? (as a function of Volumes)
 
Is my answer in my first post incorrect?

"I know that dQ = 0 as this is an adiabatic expansion.
Meaning dU = dW = - NKbT ln (V2/V1)"

as dU= dW = (integrating from V1 to V2) - pdV
where P = NKbT / V
 
Thermally isolated means no heat enters or leaves, thus the expansion will change the temperature.
 
Ok thanks, but I still don't understand how what to do for this question. :S
 

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