Canonical ensemble Study guides, Revision notes & Summaries

This document briefly summarizes the concept of microcanonical ensemble. Statistical weight is derived and exemplarically computed for the cases of free particles and N harmonic oscillators.

1. Why is internal energy important to statistical mechanics? 2. What is the hypothesis in statistical mechanics in closed system? Internal energy gives the probable energy levels of particles/mole- cules in the system. Microstates of the same energy are equally likely. In other words, all microstates in an isolated system have the same proba- bility. 3. What is a 1-D phase state diagram? A phase state dia- gram is the momen- tum vs. distance dia- gram used to describe microstates. ...

1. classical thermo- dynamics 2. 0th law of ther- modynamics describes macroscopic systems in equilibrium in terms of a few measurable variables If two systems are in thermodynamic equilibrium with a third system, then they are in thermal equilibrium with each other. 3. thermoscope a precursor to the thermometer - if the third body from the 0th law is heated and changes visibly, then it can be used as one of these to verify equality of temperature or to rank bodies according to temperatu...

1. classical thermo- dynamics 2. 0th law of ther- modynamics describes macroscopic systems in equilibrium in terms of a few measurable variables If two systems are in thermodynamic equilibrium with a third system, then they are in thermal equilibrium with each other. 3. thermoscope a precursor to the thermometer - if the third body from the 0th law is heated and changes visibly, then it can be used as one of these to verify equality of temperature or to rank bodies according to temperatu...

Full module lecture notes with a highlighted system for headings, equations, key information and extra information

Chapter 23: Statistical Thermodynamics