Statistical Thermodinamics: how many ways to make a set of population?

AI Thread Summary
The discussion revolves around calculating the number of ways to realize a population distribution of three distinguishable particles A, B, and C with different energy levels. Initially, the poster believes there are two configurations: (A,BC) and (A,CB). However, upon applying the Boltzmann formula for the number of states, they find three possible configurations. The poster later acknowledges making rookie mistakes in their initial reasoning. The conversation highlights the importance of correctly applying statistical mechanics principles in determining particle arrangements.
teddd
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Hi everyone!

Here's my problem of the day:

Let's take a box containing 3 identical (but distinguishable) particles A B C. Let this be a canonical ensamble.

Suppose that A has energy \varepsilon_0 and both B and C have energy \varepsilon_1. We thereforre have 2 energy level, n_0,n_1. Take the number of states g_{\alpha} in each energy level \varepsilon_{\alpha} to be 1.


Now, I want to calculate in how many ways the set of population \vec{n}=(n_0,n_1) can be realized.

At first sight I'd say that they're two: I can take (A,BC) or (A,CB), being the particle distinguishable.

But if I use the well-known Boltzmann forumula W(\vec{n})=N!\prod_{\alpha}\frac{ g_{\alpha}^{n_{\alpha}}}{n_{\alpha}} and I put in the g's and n's I've taken above I get:W(\vec{n})=3! \left(\frac{1^1}{1!}\frac{1^2}{2!}\right)=3so there should be three ways to set up the vector \vec{n}!


Where am I mistaking?? Thanks for help!
 
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