Explain the exact notion of an ensemble

In summary, an ensemble is a collection of statistical systems that interact with each other and exchange energy. In the canonical ensemble, this exchange of energy is achieved through a heat reservoir and the temperature is kept fixed to maintain equilibrium. This ensemble is characterized by two constraints and can be used to calculate the entropy of a system.
  • #1
h0dgey84bc
160
0
Hi, can someone please explain the exact notion of an ensemble to me please?

In the canonical ensemble, how do ensembles exchange energy between one another?
what is the significance of keeping the temperature fixed?

thanks
 
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  • #2
h0dgey84bc said:
Hi, can someone please explain the exact notion of an ensemble to me please?

In the canonical ensemble, how do ensembles exchange energy between one another?
what is the significance of keeping the temperature fixed?
I understand that the canonical ensemble that just elected the new Pope held lively exchanges. But you might want to check this out:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canonical_ensemble

AM
 
  • #3
The canonical ensemble assumes a heat reservoir for each statistical system from the ensemble and the continuous (thermal) energy change between the reservoir & the system insures constant temperature.

The 2 constraints which characterize the canonical ensemble are:

*normalization for the probability density/the density operator
*fixing of the average of the classical/quantum hamiltonian.

Then apply the axioms and get the entropy...

Daniel.
 

FAQ: Explain the exact notion of an ensemble

1. What is an ensemble in science?

An ensemble in science refers to a collection or group of similar objects or systems that are studied together to understand their behavior and properties. These objects can be physical entities like atoms, molecules, or cells, or abstract concepts like mathematical models or statistical distributions.

2. What is the purpose of studying ensembles?

The study of ensembles allows scientists to make predictions and draw conclusions about the overall behavior of a large group of objects or systems based on the properties of individual members. This can be useful in understanding complex systems and phenomena.

3. How is an ensemble different from a sample?

An ensemble differs from a sample in that samples are usually taken from a larger population, while ensembles are typically studied as a whole. Samples are also often used to make inferences about a population, while ensembles are used to analyze the behavior of a group of similar objects or systems.

4. Can ensembles be used in different fields of science?

Yes, ensembles can be used in various fields of science, including physics, chemistry, biology, and mathematics. They are a fundamental concept in statistical mechanics, where they are used to study the behavior of large systems of particles, and in machine learning, where they are used to improve prediction accuracy.

5. How does the concept of ensembles relate to the concept of entropy?

Ensembles and entropy are closely related concepts. In thermodynamics and statistical mechanics, entropy is a measure of the disorder or randomness of a system, while ensembles are used to study the properties of a large number of particles. The concept of entropy is often used to describe the behavior of ensembles in thermodynamic systems.

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