How Does Classical Statistical Mechanics Perform in Explaining Gas Properties?

AI Thread Summary
Classical statistical mechanics successfully explains gas properties by simplifying complex interactions into average behaviors, making it effective for ideal gas scenarios. However, it struggles with real-world applications since gases do not behave ideally, and their properties can vary significantly. The method relies on assumptions about molecular likelihoods, which can overlook important details. While the large number of molecules enhances the reliability of statistical mechanics, it can also lead to inaccuracies when applied to non-ideal gases. Overall, the approach has both strengths in theoretical simplicity and weaknesses in practical applicability.
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Homework Statement



describe one significant success and one troublesome failure encountered when classical statistical mechanics is used to explain the properties of gases.

(7 marks)

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The Attempt at a Solution



success- it is simple to and it would fit the ideal world..

problem- we do not live in an ideal world, and differnt gases have differnt properties...
 
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Were I grading this, I would want a bit more specifics. We want a bit more specifics here at PF also.
 
Think 7 marks, so I need to make 7 points.
 
statistical mechanics concetrates on only on average behaviour of gases, using assumpitons about the likelohood of differnt possibilites.

this avoides the use of details Newtonion calculation and turns the burden of enormouse number of molecules into an asset.

the good thing is the large number of molecules helps to ensure the relaibiility of the statsitcal mechincs.
 

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