Deriving Average Energy of an Oscillator: Thermal Radiation

In summary, Planck's abstract model in 1900 used harmonic oscillators with various frequencies to derive an average energy for a single oscillator. The oscillators can only take on discrete energies and the Boltzmann probability distribution shows that the probability for a system at equilibrium to have an energy is proportional to exp(-\epsilon_{n} / k_{B} T. For further reading, the book "Quantum Physics of Atoms, Molecules, Solids, Nuclei, and Particles" by R. Eisberg and R. Resnick is recommended.
  • #1
sai2020
26
0
The question:

In 1900, Planck used an abstract model consisting of harmonic oscillators with various frequency. Derive an average energy [tex]\bar{\epsilon}[/tex] of a single oscillator where the oscillators of frequency f can only take on discrete energies [tex]\epsilon[/tex][tex]_{n}[/tex] = nhf, n=0, 1, 2, ... and the Boltzmann probability distribution, P([tex]\epsilon[/tex][tex]_{n}[/tex]) = exp(-[tex]\epsilon[/tex][tex]_{n}[/tex] / k[tex]_{B}[/tex]T). (Note: Boltzmann showed that the probability for a system at equilibrium to have an energy E is proportional to exp(-[tex]\epsilon[/tex][tex]_{n}[/tex] / k[tex]_{B}[/tex] T, where k[tex]_{B}[/tex] is the Boltzmann constant.

I have no idea what he is talking about and my textbook doesn't say anything either. Can someone point me to a good book about these stuff?
 
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  • #2
R. Eisberg, R. Resnick
Quantum physics of atoms, molecules, solids, nuclei and participles
 
  • #3
Thanks a lot. It's a beautiful book
 

What is an oscillator?

An oscillator is a physical system that exhibits periodic motion, meaning it repeats itself at regular intervals. Examples of oscillators include a swinging pendulum and a vibrating guitar string.

What is thermal radiation?

Thermal radiation is the emission of electromagnetic waves from a material due to its temperature. This includes visible light, infrared radiation, and radio waves. All objects with a temperature above absolute zero (0 Kelvin) emit thermal radiation.

How is the average energy of an oscillator derived?

The average energy of an oscillator can be derived using the equipartition theorem, which states that at thermal equilibrium, each degree of freedom of a system will have an average energy of kT/2, where k is the Boltzmann constant and T is the temperature in Kelvin. For an oscillator, there are two degrees of freedom (kinetic energy and potential energy), so the average energy can be calculated as E = 2(kT/2) = kT.

What is the relationship between an oscillator's average energy and its temperature?

The average energy of an oscillator is directly proportional to its temperature. This means that as the temperature increases, the average energy of the oscillator will also increase. This relationship is described by the equation E = kT, where E is the average energy and T is the temperature in Kelvin.

How is the average energy of an oscillator related to thermal radiation?

The average energy of an oscillator is directly related to the amount of thermal radiation it emits. As the average energy increases, the oscillator will emit more thermal radiation. This is because the higher the average energy, the more electromagnetic waves the oscillator is able to emit. Thus, the average energy of an oscillator plays a crucial role in the process of thermal radiation.

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