Heat Capacity of a classical ideal gas and SHO

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on calculating the heat capacity of a classical ideal gas and a system of simple harmonic oscillators (SHOs). The heat capacity (Cv) is defined using the relationship Cv = (dE/dT * dS/dE)*T = dS/dT*T. Participants clarify that the derivative dS/dT should be taken with respect to temperature, not time, and emphasize that the expression for entropy (S) can be used to derive the heat capacity by calculating dS/dE, which is the inverse of temperature (1/T). The correct approach involves deriving an expression for energy E as a function of temperature.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of classical thermodynamics concepts, particularly heat capacity.
  • Familiarity with statistical mechanics, specifically the behavior of ideal gases.
  • Knowledge of simple harmonic oscillators (SHOs) and their energy states.
  • Proficiency in calculus, particularly differentiation and partial derivatives.
NEXT STEPS
  • Derive the energy expression E(T) for an ideal gas to calculate heat capacity.
  • Explore the relationship between entropy and energy in statistical mechanics.
  • Study the derivation of heat capacity for simple harmonic oscillators.
  • Investigate the implications of the equipartition theorem on heat capacity.
USEFUL FOR

This discussion is beneficial for physics students, particularly those studying thermodynamics and statistical mechanics, as well as educators and researchers focusing on heat capacity calculations in ideal gas and oscillator systems.

SirCrayon
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Homework Statement


Ideal gas. In an ideal-gas model. N molecules move almost indepdently with very weak interactions between, in a three-dimensional box of volume V. Find the heat capacity of the system.

SHO. Consider N independent SHOs in a system. each osciallating about a fixed point. The spring constant is assumed to be k and the mass of oscillator m. FInd the heat capacity.


Homework Equations


I understand heat capacity can be described as change of energy (E) over time (T) so:

Cv (heat capacity) = (dE/dT * dS/dE)*T
= dS/dT*T


The Attempt at a Solution



I have S, but I am having trouble with taking the derivative of dS/dT. do i bring the T over so i can take dS/dT?

The S that I have is:

S = N*Kb*ln((V/h^3)*(((4*pi*m*E)/(3N)))*^(3/2)+3/2N

having trouble going from here since if it is S/T, my heat capacity would just be -S/T^2??

Thanks in advance for the help
 
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SirCrayon said:
I understand heat capacity can be described as change of energy (E) over time (T) so:
Temperature, not time. And your equation relates entropy changes to temperature, not energy changes.

With your S, you can calculate dS/dE. But that is just the inverse temperature:
$$\frac{1}{T}=\frac{\partial S}{\partial E}$$
With an expression E(T), you can calculate the heat capacity.
 

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