Spectral Analysis of Gas Atoms: Temperature Calculation

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on calculating the temperature of a gas of atoms based on their spectral analysis, specifically using the Doppler effect and Gaussian distribution. The spectral line emitted by the gas atoms at 638 nm follows a Gaussian distribution with a standard deviation (σ) of 1.5 GHz. The temperature (T) can be derived using the formula T = σ² * m * c² / (K₀² * k), where K₀ is related to the frequency of the emitted light and k is the wave number. Participants suggest using mathematical handbooks or tools like Wolfram Alpha for integral solutions related to Gaussian functions.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of the Doppler effect in light emission
  • Familiarity with Gaussian distribution and its properties
  • Knowledge of thermodynamic temperature calculations
  • Basic integration techniques, particularly for Gaussian functions
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the properties of Gaussian functions in spectral analysis
  • Learn about the Doppler effect and its implications in spectroscopy
  • Explore temperature calculation methods in statistical mechanics
  • Utilize Wolfram Alpha for solving integrals involving Gaussian distributions
USEFUL FOR

Students in physics, particularly those studying thermodynamics and spectroscopy, as well as researchers analyzing spectral lines and temperature calculations in gases.

Dassinia
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Hello

Homework Statement



A gas of atoms, each of mass m, is maintained in a box at temperature T. The atoms emit
light which passes (in the x-direction) through a window in the box and can be observed
as a spectral line in a spectroscope. A stationary atom would emit light at the sharply
de¯ned frequency vo. But because of the Doppler effect the frequency of the light emitted
from an atom with horizontal velocity vx is not simply vo but rather
v=vo(1+vx/c)

Calculate the relative intensity distribution I(Δ) of the light measured in the spectroscope.

The spectrum of a gas atom elitting at 638, nm follows a gauss distribution with σ=1.5 GHz
What is the gas temperature ?

Homework Equations


The Attempt at a Solution


So we have
G(K)=Go exp(-(K-Ko)²/(2σ²))
Go a constant and σ=Ko*√(k*T/(mc²))
So I have to calculate
I(Δ) = 1/2 ∫ Go exp(-(K-Ko)²/(2σ²)) * cos(KΔ) dK from 0 to infinity
The result is given and we're supposed to find that
I(Δ) = Io cos(Ko Δ) exp (-1/2 (σΔ)²)
I tried integration by parts but I can't get to the result ..

b/ T=σ²*m*c²/(Ko²*k)
k=1/lambda and Ko=2pi*vo=2pic/lambda
Replacing we obtain the temperature in fuction of the mass

tHANKS
 
Last edited:
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Well I think it is a general integral, you may be able to find it in a math handbook. I don't have mine at hand, but you can always try solving it at wolframalpha.com to see, what it gives.

Also you don't need to solve any integral, if it is something with infinity, you can often find it in a handbook, which will be sufficient for most cases (unless you are a math student, ha ha).

Also what you need to integrate looks like a Gaussian function to me! So it's definitely somewhere to be found!
 
Last edited:
What is Δ in this problem?
 

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