General version of fermi-dirac distribution?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the generalization of the Fermi-Dirac distribution to accommodate scenarios where a finite number of particles can occupy specific energy states, rather than the binary occupation allowed by the Pauli exclusion principle. Participants explore the implications of this generalization in the context of statistical mechanics, comparing it to the Boltzmann and Bose-Einstein distributions.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Tim questions whether a general solution exists for cases where a finite number of particles can occupy energy states, citing specific examples of maximum occupancy.
  • One participant suggests that if the Pauli exclusion principle does not apply, the Boltzmann distribution can be used, while the Fermi-Dirac distribution is necessary when it does.
  • Another participant emphasizes that the mean occupation number for independent particles can be derived from the energy states, leading to either Bose-Einstein or Fermi-Dirac statistics depending on occupancy constraints.
  • Tim reiterates the need for clarification on the statistics applicable when occupancy is limited to a specific number of particles, rather than just 0 or 1.
  • A mathematical expression for the single-particle occupation number is provided, but its relevance to the generalization question remains unclear.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the applicability of the Boltzmann and Fermi-Dirac distributions under varying occupancy conditions. The discussion does not reach a consensus on the appropriate statistical framework for the scenario Tim describes.

Contextual Notes

Participants reference the Pauli exclusion principle and its implications for particle statistics, but the discussion lacks a definitive resolution on how to handle cases with restricted occupancy beyond binary limits. The mathematical derivations mentioned are not fully explored or agreed upon.

timmy1234
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general version of fermi-dirac distribution??

merry x-mas everyone!

in the Boltzmann distribution every state with energy Ei can be occupied by an arbitrarily large number of molecules. In contrast, if each state can be occupied by only one particle then one needs to use the fermi dirac distribution.
here comes the question:
does a general solution exist for the case that only Ni particles can occupy energy state Ei? For instance, state E0 can be occupied by <= 5 molecules, energy state E1 can be occupied by <= 20 molecules etc.

I have looked in a couple of books but none talks about this situation.

Many thanks!

Tim
 
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timmy1234 said:
merry x-mas everyone!

in the Boltzmann distribution every state with energy Ei can be occupied by an arbitrarily large number of molecules.

boltzmann? you mean Bose-Einstein?

In the classical limit, for either BE or FD statistics, the mean occupation number reduces to

e^{-\beta(E_i-\mu)}

where \mu is very large in magnitude and negative so that the mean occupation number is always tiny.

In contrast, if each state can be occupied by only one particle then one needs to use the fermi dirac distribution.

If incontact with a thermal bath one always starts from the same place. always. One starts from the fact that the probability that a state 'x' is occpied depends on the energy
of the state E_x and is given by


e^{-\beta(E_x)}


in the independent particle approximation the energy of the state is the sum of the individual particle energies, etc, one ends up with either the BE or FD mean occupation number. In general, for independent particles, regardless of the statistics, the energy is a state x is the sum of independent particle energies \epsilon_i and depends only on occupation number for identical particles. And one just performs the sum


Z=\sum_{n1,n2,...}e^{-\beta(\sum_{i}n_i \epsilon_i)}.


For BE n1,n2,etc run from 0 to infinity

For FD n1,n2,etc run from 0 to 1

But you are free to choose n1, n2, etc, to be occupied however you like. Unfortunately you won't be describing any real physics. Cheers.

here comes the question:
does a general solution exist for the case that only Ni particles can occupy energy state Ei? For instance, state E0 can be occupied by <= 5 molecules, energy state E1 can be occupied by <= 20 molecules etc.

I have looked in a couple of books but none talks about this situation.

Many thanks!

Tim
 
First off, thanks for the replies!

but i think my question didn't get across too well.

the point i tried to make is the follwoing:

if the pauli exclusion principle doesn't apply then one can use the Boltzmann distribution to determine how many partiles will be sitting on energy state Ei with equation:

Ni = N * exp(Ei/kT) / Z.

where N is the total number of particles and Ni is the number of particles with energy Ei.

If the pauli excultion principle must be obeyed (that is Ni is einther 0 or 1) then one needs to apply the Fermi-Dirac distribution.

The question is: if Ni is restricted to some number Ai (not necessarily 1 but any number)what is the statistics that one is supposed to use?
 
timmy1234 said:
First off, thanks for the replies!

but i think my question didn't get across too well.

the point i tried to make is the follwoing:

if the pauli exclusion principle doesn't apply then one can use the Boltzmann distribution to determine how many partiles will be sitting on energy state Ei with equation:

Ni = N * exp(Ei/kT) / Z.

where N is the total number of particles and Ni is the number of particles with energy Ei.

If the pauli excultion principle must be obeyed (that is Ni is einther 0 or 1) then one needs to apply the Fermi-Dirac distribution.

you need to work through the derivation of the single-particle occupation number <N_a> starting from where I suggested in my previous post

<N_a>=\frac{-1}{E_a-\mu}\frac{\partial}{\partial \beta}\log(Z_a)

The question is: if Ni is restricted to some number Ai (not necessarily 1 but any number)what is the statistics that one is supposed to use?
 
[tex] <N_a>=\frac{-1}{E_a-\mu}\frac{\partial}{\partial \beta}\log(Z_a)[/tex]
 

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