B1.22

Statistical Physics
Part II, 2004

Define the notions of entropy SS and thermodynamic temperature TT for a gas of particles in a variable volume VV. Derive the fundamental relation

dE=TdSPdVd E=T d S-P d V

The free energy of the gas is defined as F=ETSF=E-T S. Why is it convenient to regard FF as a function of TT and VV ? By considering FF, or otherwise, show that

SVT=PTV\left.\frac{\partial S}{\partial V}\right|_{T}=\left.\frac{\partial P}{\partial T}\right|_{V}

Deduce that the entropy of an ideal gas, whose equation of state is PV=NTP V=N T (using energy units), has the form

S=Nlog(VN)+Nc(T)S=N \log \left(\frac{V}{N}\right)+N c(T)

where c(T)c(T) is independent of NN and VV.

Show that if the gas is in contact with a heat bath at temperature TT, then the probability of finding the gas in a particular quantum microstate of energy ErE_{r} is

Pr=e(FEr)/TP_{r}=e^{\left(F-E_{r}\right) / T}