Statistical Physics

1. Apr 1, 2005

Palindrom

Hi all.

So something's bothering me;

Given the def. S=-k(sum on r: pr*ln(pr)) for the entropy, find the entropy of N>>1 free particles moving in a 2d box with energy E.

Now, don't I have a continuum of states here? How do I do that?

Thanks

2. Apr 1, 2005

dextercioby

Use the quantum canonical ensemble...Compute the partition function and then the entropy.

Doesn't mention anything about the temp...Could it be the microcanonical ensemble...?

Daniel.

3. Apr 1, 2005

Palindrom

Hum... you've kinda just given me a dizzy head...

It's only my second week of statistical mechanics, so consider that.

And... I might not recognize some of the terms in English. What's a partition function?

Sorry

4. Apr 1, 2005

dextercioby

The problem is weird,as it doesn't mention about the volume of the box,nor the temperature.That would mean the microcanonical ensemble,but again i can't see a way to compute the eigenvalues of the density operator.

Daniel.

5. Apr 1, 2005

Palindrom

What density? Of states?
Weird anyway... I'll keep thinking about it.