Particular configuration of a system and grand partition fn.

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the interpretation of a particular configuration in the context of the grand partition function, specifically referencing equations (29.4), (29.24), and (29.25). Participants explore the relationship between microstates and macrostates within statistical mechanics.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants question why a particular configuration is described by equation (29.4) and seek clarification on its meaning.
  • One participant suggests that the term "particular" arises because the numbers ##n_i## are fixed to specific values, indicating that fixed occupation numbers represent only one specific configuration.
  • Another participant asserts that equation (29.24) encodes the information on how many particles occupy each energy state, which is referred to as the configuration of the system.
  • There is a proposal that the ratio of equations (29.4) and (29.5) provides the probability of the system being in a specific macrostate characterized by the occupation numbers of particles in various energy states.
  • One participant corrects a previous claim by stating that the set of pairs ##\{(n_i,E_i)\}_i## represents a particular microstate, while the macrostate is defined by temperature and chemical potential.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the definitions of microstates and macrostates, leading to some disagreement regarding the interpretation of equations and their implications for configurations.

Contextual Notes

There are unresolved aspects regarding the definitions of microstates and macrostates, as well as the implications of the equations discussed. Participants have not reached a consensus on these interpretations.

Pushoam
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I don't understand how could be a particular configuration described by eqn. (29.4).
Why is it said a particular configuration?

upload_2017-10-26_14-51-59.png
I know that this is the grand Boltzmann factor for one particle in energy state ##E_1##. But how does it describe configuration of the system?
 

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Pushoam said:
Why is it said a particular configuration?

I guess it is particular, because in (29.24) the numbers ##n_i## are fixed to specific values and because several combinations of occupation numbers are possible, the case of fixed occupation numbers denotes only one specific configuration. Then in (29.25) you sum over all particular configurations by taking into account all possible combinations of occupation numbers.

Pushoam said:
But how does it describe configuration of the system?

Well, (29.24) encodes the information on how many particles occupy each energy state and this is exactly what is known as the configuration.
 
Metmann said:
Well, (29.24) encodes the information on how many particles occupy each energy state and this is exactly what is known as the configuration.
What I got is : the eq (29.4) divided by eq. (29.5) gives the probability that the system will be in such a macrostate ( thus the particular configuration) such that ##n_1## particles will be in the ##E_1## state and so on. Here the macrostate is described by {(##n_1, E_1) ,(n_2,E_2), ...##}.

Right?

Thank you.
 
Pushoam said:
What I got is : the eq (29.4) divided by eq. (29.5) gives the probability that the system will be in such a macrostate ( thus the particular configuration) such that n1n_1 particles will be in the E1E_1 state and so on. Here the macrostate is described by {(n1,E1),(n2,E2),...n_1, E_1) ,(n_2,E_2), ...}

No, not exactly. ##\{(n_i,E_i )\}_i## denotes a particular microstate, while the macrostate is given by temperature ##T \sim \frac{1}{\beta}## and chemical potential ##\mu##. So (29.4) devided by (29.5) gives you the probability that a particular microstate is realized given the macrostate.
 

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