Paper 2, Section II, 34D
(a) The entropy of a thermodynamic ensemble is defined by the formula
where is the Boltzmann constant. Explain what is meant by in this formula. Write down an expression for in the grand canonical ensemble, defining any variables you need. Hence show that the entropy is related to the grand canonical partition function by
(b) Consider a gas of non-interacting fermions with single-particle energy levels .
(i) Show that the grand canonical partition function is given by
(ii) Assume that the energy levels are continuous with density of states , where and are positive constants. Prove that
and give expressions for the constant and the function .
(iii) The gas is isolated and undergoes a reversible adiabatic change. By considering the ratio , prove that remains constant. Deduce that and remain constant in this process, where and are constants whose values you should determine.