How Does Entropy Relate to the Arrangement Factor in Statistical Mechanics?

  • Thread starter Thread starter bobey
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Entropy
Click For Summary
SUMMARY

This discussion focuses on the relationship between entropy and the arrangement factor in statistical mechanics, specifically addressing the Boltzmann statistics. The most probable distribution is identified as {4,1,0,1,0}, leading to an entropy calculation of S = k ln WD*, where WD* equals 30. The arrangement factor, W, is crucial for understanding the number of microstates, with specific calculations provided for different energy levels. The conversation highlights the confusion surrounding the connection between probabilities and arrangement factors, emphasizing the need for clarity in these concepts.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Boltzmann statistics
  • Familiarity with entropy calculations in statistical mechanics
  • Knowledge of microstates and macrostates
  • Basic grasp of probability theory in physical systems
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the derivation of the Boltzmann distribution
  • Learn about the relationship between entropy and microstates
  • Explore the concept of degeneracy in statistical mechanics
  • Investigate the implications of temperature on particle distributions
USEFUL FOR

Students and researchers in physics, particularly those specializing in statistical mechanics, thermodynamics, and entropy analysis.

bobey
Messages
29
Reaction score
0
based on this question :

http://i825.photobucket.com/albums/zz175/bobey/blablabal.jpg"

i tried to answer the question as follow :

My answer for the first part of the question :

http://i825.photobucket.com/albums/zz175/bobey/black.jpg"

My answer for the second part of the question :

http://i825.photobucket.com/albums/zz175/bobey/blackfffff.jpg"


The assumption is bad. This is because the most probable distribution will effectively count, in this case the {4,1,0,1,0} state is the most probable state, and we will have S=k ln WD*., where WD* is 30.

my problem is really i didn't understand the last part of the question...this is my other attempt for the second part:
Since all the states are equiprobable to occur, the probability of the 1st level is 1/6 x 5 = 5/6 and the probability of the 5th level is 1/6 x 1 = 1/6 while the arrangement factor, W for the 1st level is (6 x 5 x 4 x 3 x 2)/5! = 6 and the arrangement factor, W for the 5th level is = 6!/1! = 720... is that means the probability for 1st level is 6/726 and the probability for the 5th level is 720/726? i get confuse with the earlier probability and the arrangement factor? what it has to be related with entropy? anyone can clarify it?

and the arrangement factor = probabalility iff all the molecules are at T = 0 which means S = 0... based on the example. probability = 1/6 x 6 = 1 and the arrangement factor, W = 6! / 6! = 1...

is my understanding towards the question is correct or I just misunderstanding it?
ANYONE CAN CLARIFY IT? PLZ3X
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Chemistry news on Phys.org
The arrangement factor just gives you the number of possible arrangements (microstates) given a set of assumptions (in this case, the ones used to derive Boltzmann statistics). I'm not sure I get the last question either. Given how the arrangement factor is described here, this is will lead to a Boltzmann distribution in a system where there's no degeneracy. The probability of a particle being in state i (energy level i) is given by:

P_i = (n_i/N) = \frac{g_i e^{-E_i/K_b T}}{Z}
where:
Z = \sum_{i=0}^{4} g_i e^{-E_i/K_b T}

T is the temperature, Kb is the Boltzmann constant, Ei is the energy of the ith state and gi is the degeneracy of the ith state (always = 1 in your case).

EDIT: W8, I was wronng. I'll get back to this ASAP. I do hope this helps in the meanwhile. I have to be honest and say I don't get what you're doing to compute those probabilities. Could you explain it?
 
Last edited:

Similar threads

  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
3K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
2K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
5K
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
3K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
1K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K