A system consists of N weakly interacting non-relativistic fermions, each of mass m, in a three-dimensional volume, V. Derive the Fermi-Dirac distribution
n(ϵ)=KVgexp((ϵ−μ)/kT)+1ϵ1/2
where n(ϵ)dϵ is the number of particles with energy in (ϵ,ϵ+dϵ) and K=2π(2m)3/2/h3. Explain the physical significance of g.
Explain how the constant μ is determined by the number of particles N and write down expressions for N and the internal energy E in terms of n(ϵ).
Show that, in the limit κ≡e−μ/kT≫1,
N=AκV(1−22κ1+O(κ21))
where A=h3/g(2πmkT)3/2.
Show also that in this limit
E=23NkT(1+42κ1+O(κ21)).
Deduce that the condition κ≫1 implies that AN/V≪1. Discuss briefly whether or not this latter condition is satisfied in a white dwarf star and in a dilute electron gas at room temperature.