Hydrogen atom at finitine temperature

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on the application of the ordinary partition function for calculating the behavior of a hydrogen atom at finite temperatures. It questions the validity of truncating the partition function and explores the implications of evaluating it for n=2, specifically regarding the probability distribution among the 2s and 2p states. The conversation highlights the interplay between quantum mechanics and thermodynamics, asserting that thermodynamic principles dominate in this context.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of quantum mechanics, specifically hydrogen atom states
  • Familiarity with statistical mechanics and partition functions
  • Basic knowledge of thermodynamics principles
  • Concept of finite temperature effects on atomic systems
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the derivation and application of partition functions in statistical mechanics
  • Explore the concept of probability distributions in quantum states for multi-level systems
  • Study the relationship between quantum mechanics and thermodynamics in atomic systems
  • Investigate advanced topics in finite temperature quantum systems
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Physicists, students of quantum mechanics, and researchers interested in the thermodynamic properties of atomic systems at finite temperatures.

Gavroy
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hi

i asked myself, is it correct to use the ordinary partition function and cut it off at some value to describe the atom at some finite temperature? or is there a better way to do this calculation?

and if i evaluate the partition function for let me say n=2. does this mean, that the probability of finding the atom in the states 2s, 2px, 2py, 2pz is the same for each state or are there any differences?
 
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How is this classical physics?
 
well it is both: quantum mechanics and thermodynamics.

but i guess, the last one is the dominant part here...
 
Partition functions are not introduced in Thermodynamics.
 

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