Statistical definition of temperature

AI Thread Summary
The discussion centers on understanding the statistical mechanics definition of temperature, specifically the equation d(lnΩ)/dE = 1/kbT, where Ω represents the possible microstates for energy E. Participants explore how energy divides between connected systems to maximize total microstates, leading to the conclusion that the total number of microstates increases as energy moves from higher to lower temperatures. The conversation highlights the challenge of relating discrete microstates to energy through calculus, emphasizing that the definition of temperature applies to large systems where quantum states can be averaged. A key point is the need to calculate a density of states, which accounts for the number of states in a small energy region, essential for applying the derivative concept. Overall, the discussion seeks clarity on the calculus involved in linking microstates and energy in statistical mechanics.
WrongMan
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hello everyone. i need help understanding this statement:
d(lnΩ)/dE = 1/kbT
so Ω are the posible microstates for energy E, and the derivative of Ω w.r.t E is 1/kbT.
why?
what i understand so far is: looking at the division of energy of two "connected" systems the energy will divide itself in a way that maximizes the total possible microstates, and since the total number of microstates is: Ω1(E1)*Ω2(E2)
(where "Ω1(E1)" means posible microstates at E1 for system 1) this would mean:
Et=E1+E2 and
Ωt(Et)=Ω1(E1)*Ω2(E2)
and since i want to maximize this i say:
t/dEt=0
so now what? i feel that I am close but i can't get there
 
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Hi, I want remember you that ##k_{b}\ln{\Omega}## is a well know quantity called Entropy...

Ssnow
 
Energy wants to move from a higher temperature to a lower temperature, until the temperatures are equal.
The statistical mechanics definition of temperature tells you that by moving energy from a higher temperature to a lower temperature, the total number of microstates is increased.
 
i understand the theory part of it, i just don't understand the calculus part of it, where does the 1/kbT comes from? what is meant by "d(lnΩ)/dE" is the rate at which lnΩ chages w.r.t E right? but i was never given an expression that relates mictostates with energy, i just sort of "count" ( or calculate using combinatory "formulas").
 
Ok, how do you take the derivative of a discrete quantity? Well, you can't. The statistical mechanics definition of temperature is really only valid for large systems where you can smooth over the quantum steps. You need to imagine a system with a whole bunch of closely spaced states. Then you imagine a small region of energy which overlaps many states. You have to calculate a density of states, which is a function that tells you how many states are in a small region of energy around any particular energy. Your small region has to be much bigger than the distance between adjacent states, or it fails. I'm not sure if there's a more mathematically rigorous way to define it.
 
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