A1.14
Part II, 2002
(i) A system of identical non-interacting bosons has energy levels with degeneracy , for each particle. Show that in thermal equilibrium the number of particles with energy is given by
where and are parameters whose physical significance should be briefly explained.
(ii) A photon moves in a cubical box of side . Assuming periodic boundary conditions, show that, for large , the number of photon states lying in the frequency range is where
If the box is filled with thermal radiation at temperature , show that the number of photons per unit volume in the frequency range is where
Calculate the energy density of the thermal radiation. Show that the pressure exerted on the surface of the box satisfies
[You may use the result .]