Help with atomic polarization question

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around a problem related to atomic polarization in a gas of noninteracting atoms subjected to an external magnetic field. Participants are tasked with finding the average magnetization of the sample as a function of the applied magnetic field and discussing the behavior of the solution under extreme conditions.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Mathematical reasoning, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants explore the relationship between energy states and magnetization, discussing probabilities associated with different atomic states. There are questions regarding the calculation of average magnetization and the implications of temperature on the distribution of states.

Discussion Status

Some participants have provided insights into the calculation of probabilities and the expected behavior of magnetization under varying magnetic field strengths. There is ongoing confusion regarding the interpretation of probabilities and their relation to magnetization values, with no clear consensus reached yet.

Contextual Notes

Participants are working under the constraints of a homework assignment, which includes specific requirements for expressing the answer in terms of hyperbolic trigonometric functions. There is also uncertainty about the necessary numerical values to plug into the equations.

justinbaker
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Studying for finals and this is one of the reveiw questions our teacher wanted us to take a look at. A little help please, i got started somewhat as you will see below

"Suppose that we have a lot of noninteracting atoms (a gas) in an external magnetic field. You may take as given the fact that each atom can be in one of two states, whose energies differ by an amount ΔE = 2µB, depending on the strength of the magnetization is taken to be +1 if it's in the lower energy state or -1 if it's in the higher state

a.) Find the average magnetization of hte entire sample as a function of the applied magnetic field B [Remark: Your answer can be expressed in terms of ΔE by using a hyperbolic trigonmetric function; if you know these, then write it this way.]

b.)Discuss how your solution behaves when B--> ∞ and when B--> 0, and why your results make sense."A.) so i am a little confused but this is what i have so far
E1=+µB
E2=-µB

and Probability1=e^(-E1/(KT))
Probability2=e^(-E2/(KT))

also P1 + P2= 1

so is there numbers that i need to plug into find the answer? B.) figure this out when i solve A
 
Last edited:
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So, with these occupation fractions of "North up" and "South up" atoms,
what is the total (net) magnetization?
If T=infinite, you have the same number of Norths as Souths pointing upward,
so the total (and fractional) magnetization is zero.

It is important that the positive Energy is opposite the negative Energy,
or else the sum (and difference) is not a hyperbolic trig function.
 
ok so i am still really confused here, so is the avg magnetization zero?
 
justinbaker said:
Studying for finals and this is one of the reveiw questions our teacher wanted us to take a look at. A little help please, i got started somewhat as you will see below

"Suppose that we have a lot of noninteracting atoms (a gas) in an external magnetic field. You may take as given the fact that each atom can be in one of two states, whose energies differ by an amount ΔE = 2µB, depending on the strength of the magnetization is taken to be +1 if it's in the lower energy state or -1 if it's in the higher state

a.) Find the average magnetization of hte entire sample as a function of the applied magnetic field B [Remark: Your answer can be expressed in terms of ΔE by using a hyperbolic trigonmetric function; if you know these, then write it this way.]

b.)Discuss how your solution behaves when B--> ∞ and when B--> 0, and why your results make sense."


A.) so i am a little confused but this is what i have so far
E1=+µB
E2=-µB

and Probability1=e^(-E1/(KT))
Probability2=e^(-E2/(KT))

also P1 + P2= 1

so is there numbers that i need to plug into find the answer?


B.) figure this out when i solve A

You have two possible values of magnetaziation. Just calculate (first value times the probability of having the first value) plus (second value times the probability of the second value) all that divided by the sum of the two porbabilities. It will give an hyperbolic function.
 
The probabiilities are

[tex] \frac{1}{1+exp(- \Delta E/k_BT)}[/tex]

and

[tex] \frac{1}{1+exp(\Delta E/k_BT)}[/tex],

but how do I know which probability represents wihch magnetization?

c)

If I am right, the expected value approaches zero both when B -> infinity and when B -> 0, but I can't see why that makes sense...
 
Last edited:

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