Chemical potential and fugacity

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SUMMARY

This discussion focuses on the definition and equivalence of chemical potential (μ) and fugacity in the context of statistical physics, specifically within the frameworks of Maxwell-Boltzmann (MB) and quantum statistics. The chemical potential is defined as μ = (∂F/∂N)_{T,V}, where F is the Helmholtz free energy. The relationship between chemical potential and fugacity is established through the equation α = -μ/kT, leading to the distribution function n_i = g_i/(e^{(E_i - μ)/(k_BT)} + κ). The discussion emphasizes the importance of defining μ in the fundamental thermodynamic equation for clarity.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Maxwell-Boltzmann statistics
  • Familiarity with quantum statistics and distribution functions
  • Knowledge of thermodynamic equations, particularly the Grand Canonical Ensemble
  • Basic concepts of statistical mechanics and Lagrange multipliers
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the Grand Canonical Ensemble and its applications in statistical mechanics
  • Learn about the derivation of the Helmholtz free energy (F) and its significance
  • Explore the relationship between entropy (S) and the number of microstates (W)
  • Investigate the implications of fugacity in chemical thermodynamics
USEFUL FOR

Students and researchers in statistical physics, particularly those studying thermodynamics, quantum statistics, and chemical potential. This discussion is beneficial for anyone seeking to deepen their understanding of the relationships between chemical potential, fugacity, and statistical distributions.

Kaguro
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I am trying to learn statistical physics. While learning MB statistics, my textbook defined chemical potential as ##\mu = (\frac{\partial F}{\partial N})_{V,T}##. That's nice.

Later when I started on Quantum statistics, my textbook described all three distribution functions via:
##n_i = \frac{g_i}{e^{\alpha + \beta E_i} + \kappa}##
We had already found out the value of beta from MB statistics (using MB distr. function. Why would that apply here is another mystery altogether)

Then suddenly book said:
##n_i = \frac{g_i}{e^{\frac{E_i - \mu}{K_B T}} + \kappa}##

Where we define chemical potential via the relation ##\alpha = -\mu/kT## (and its exponential is called fugacity)

How and why did the book define the same thing twice!?
 
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To all future people who want to know: I found out how can we show equivalence.

We need to define mu only once, but neither in these places. We need to define mu in the fundamental thermodynamic equation:

First consider Grand Canonical Ensemble, that is, allow particle number to change.

Generalise first and second laws into this:

##dU = TdS - PdV + \mu dN##
We define ##\mu## as the rate of change of energy per unit change in particle number.

Then from this relation, ##\mu = (\frac{\partial U}{\partial N})_{S,V}##
F = U-TS
So, ##dF=-PdV - SdT + \mu dN##
##\Rightarrow \mu = (\frac{\partial F}{\partial N})_{T,V}## (Yaay!)

Now while deriving the distribution function by maximizing the log of number of microstates and using method of Lagrange multipliers we got:

##d(lnW) = \alpha dN + \beta dE##
So, ##\alpha = (\frac{\partial ln(W)}{\partial N})_{E,V}##

But we know ##S=k_B ln(W)## (separate derivation for that. But it is standalone)
##\Rightarrow lnW = \frac{S}{k_B}##
##\Rightarrow \alpha = \frac{1}{k_B} (\frac{\partial S}{\partial N})_{E,V}##

Now, ##TdS=dU+PdV-\mu dN##
##(\frac{\partial S}{\partial N})_{U,V} = \frac{-\mu}{T}##

Therefore, ##\alpha = \frac{-\mu}{kT}## (Yaaaay!)

Similarly we can show that ##\beta = \frac{1}{kT}##

Hence Proved.
 

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