# Thermo attributes of ideal gas in 3D harmonic potential

1. Jul 23, 2008

### SonOfOle

1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data
A classical system of N distinguishable, non-interacting particles of mass m is placed in a 3D harmonic potential,

$$U(r) = c \frac{x^2 + y^2 + z^2}{2 V^{2/3}}$$

where V is a volume and c is a constant with units of energy.

(a) Find the partition function and the Helmholtz free energy of the system.

(b) Find the entropy, the internal energy and the total heat capacity at a constant volume for the system.

2. Relevant equations
$$Z = \Sigma \exp{-E_i / kT}$$

$$H = U - TS$$

$$f(E)= A \exp{-E/kT}$$

3. The attempt at a solution

Unfortunately, I'm not sure where to start on this one. Anybody able to give me a tip in the right direction?

2. Jul 23, 2008

### Mute

Your system is a classical one, so the appropriate equation for the partition function is

$$Z = \int d\mathbf{r}_1 d\mathbf{r}_2 \dots d\mathbf{r}_N d\mathbf{p}_1 d\mathbf{p}_2 \dots d\mathbf{p}_N \exp\left[-\frac{E(\mathbf{r},\mathbf{p})}{k_BT}\right]$$

The energy is

$$E(\mathbf{r},\mathbf{p}) = \sum_{i=1}^{N}\left[\frac{\mathbf{p}_i^2}{2m} + U(\mathbf{r}_i)\right].$$

This should get you started with that part.

For the free energy, instead of using $F = U - TS$, it's easy to use the equation

$$F = -k_BT \ln Z$$

(it's more common to use F than H to denote the Helmholtz free energy, as H is typically used for the enthalpy).

3. Jul 24, 2008

### SonOfOle

Still stuck. How would the integration over the momentums work? That is, what would the $$\mathbf{p_i}^2$$ be?

4. Jul 25, 2008

### Mute

$$\mathbf{p}_i^2 = p_{i,x}^2 + p_{i,y}^2 + p_{i,z}^2$$

Hence, you end up with a sum of squares of terms in the exponential that can all be split into products of exponentials.