- #1
Shan K
- 73
- 0
How can we define density of state in continuous energy? As the term energy state comes from quantum mechanics which deals with discrete energies.
Thanks in advance
Thanks in advance
Last edited:
atyy said:If one us dealing with lots of particles in large volumes, the energy levels are usually close to each other compared to your experimental resolution, and it's usually ok to approximate the discrete energy levels by a continuum.
This is actually not true that quantum mechanics deals only with discrete energies. "Quantum mechanics" is in fact a misnomer, used only for historical reasons. Perhaps a better name would be "wave mechanics" (which is rarely used), or even better "uncertainty mechanics" (which is not used at all).Shan K said:As the term energy state comes from quantum mechanics which deals with discrete energies.
The density of states is a concept in physics and material science that describes the number of available quantum states per unit energy in a given system. It is typically denoted by the symbol D(E) and is expressed in units of states per energy, such as states per electron-volt (eV) or states per joule (J).
The density of states is directly related to energy, as it describes the number of states available at a specific energy level. As the energy increases, the density of states also increases, indicating a larger number of available quantum states.
The density of states can be calculated using various mathematical equations, depending on the specific system being studied. In general, it involves considering the energy levels and available states for a given system and determining the D(E) value for each energy level. These values are then plotted on a graph to show the overall distribution of states per energy.
The density of states is an important concept in materials science as it helps to understand the behavior and properties of different materials. It can provide insights into the electronic structure, conductivity, and other physical properties of a material, which are crucial for various applications in technology and engineering.
At higher temperatures, the density of states increases as more energy is available for the particles in a system. This can lead to changes in the material's behavior and properties, such as increased conductivity or changes in the electronic structure. Additionally, as temperature increases, the distribution of states may shift towards higher energies, leading to a broader distribution of available states.