Chemical potential using Boltzmann equation

In summary, the conversation discusses the calculation of chemical potential using the Boltzmann equation in relaxation time approximation, with consideration only of heat current and not electrical current. The equations and integrals involved are listed and steps for calculating the integrals are suggested.
  • #1
Mikhail_MR
17
0

Homework Statement


I must calculate chemical potential using the Boltzmann equation in relaxation time approximation $$f=f^0-\tau v_z^2 \partial f^0/\partial z,$$ where ##f^0## is given as
$$f^0 = 2(\frac{m}{2\pi\hbar})^3 \frac{1}{\exp{\beta(z)(\frac{mv^2}{2}-\mu(z))}+1}$$
I have to consider only heat current without electrical current. In this case, I can make use of ##<v_z>=0##.

Homework Equations


##0=<v_z>=\int d^3 v (v_z f^0 - \tau v_z^2 \partial f^0/\partial z)##. I can also use the limit ##\mu \beta \gg 1## and ##I_n=\int_{-\infty}^{+\infty} dx x^n \frac{e^x}{(e^x+1)^2}## with ##I_0=1, ~I_1=0, ~I_2=\pi^2 / 3##

The Attempt at a Solution


Because I have velocity only in ##z## direction, I can calculate the first integral
$$c_0 \int dv_z v_z \frac{1}{\exp{\beta (mv_z^2 / 2 - \mu)}+1} = c_0 \frac{\beta m v_z^2/2 - \ln(\exp{\beta m v_z^2 /2}+\exp{\beta \mu})}{\beta m}$$ Now I can make use of ##\beta \mu \gg 1## and I get $$c_0 (v_z^2/2-\mu/m)$$ with ##c_0 = 2(\frac{m}{2\pi\hbar})^3##

To calculate the second integral I need to calculate the derivative first.
$$\partial f^0/ \partial z = - e^x /(e^x+1)^2 dx(v, z)/dz$$ with ##x=\beta (m v^2 / 2 - \mu)##
$$\Rightarrow \partial f^0/ \partial z = - e^x /(e^x+1)^2 [\mu d\beta / dz - m v^2/2 \cdot d\beta / dz - \beta d\mu /dz]$$

Now I must somehow get the form of the integrals ##I_n##. But I do not see a way I can do it. Have I missed some step or is my attempt at a solution completely wrong?.

Any help would be appreciated
 
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  • #2
I have the following suggestions:
1. For the integral$$\int_{-\infty}^\infty v_z f^0 dv_z$$make the substitution$$x=\beta \left ( \frac{m v_z^2}{2} - \mu \right ),$$express##f^0## as$$f^0 =\frac{e^{-x}}{1 + e^{-x}},$$and observe that the integral has even symmetry about ##v_z = 0##.
2. For the integral$$\int_{-\infty}^\infty \tau v_z^2 \frac{\partial f^0}{\partial z} dv_z$$make the same substitution for x and write$$\frac{\partial f^0}{\partial z}=\frac{\partial f^0}{\partial v_z} \frac{\partial v_z}{\partial z}$$ and observe that ##\frac{\partial v_z}{\partial z}\approx \frac{1
}{\tau}##.
 
Last edited:

1. What is chemical potential?

Chemical potential is a measure of the energy required to add one additional particle to a system while holding its temperature, volume, and number of particles constant.

2. What is the Boltzmann equation?

The Boltzmann equation is a fundamental equation in statistical mechanics that relates the energy of a system to the probability of its particles occupying a certain energy level.

3. How is chemical potential calculated using the Boltzmann equation?

The chemical potential can be calculated using the Boltzmann equation by taking the derivative of the system's energy with respect to the number of particles while holding temperature and volume constant.

4. What is the significance of chemical potential in thermodynamics?

Chemical potential plays a crucial role in understanding the behavior of systems in thermodynamics, as it determines the direction of spontaneous chemical reactions and the equilibrium conditions of a system.

5. Can the Boltzmann equation be applied to all systems?

While the Boltzmann equation is a fundamental principle in statistical mechanics, it is not always applicable to all systems. It is most accurate for systems with a large number of particles and at equilibrium, and may not accurately describe systems with strong interactions or at low temperatures.

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