Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics: Intermediate Flashcards Preview

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Flashcards in Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics: Intermediate Deck (26)
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1
Q

How to count degrees of freedom

A

The number of degrees of freedom is the number of quadratic terms in the hamiltonian

2
Q

n choose m definition

A
3
Q

Stirling’s formula for asymptotic values of ln(n!)

A
4
Q

Work done by a reversible process

A
5
Q

Entropy change for a reversible process

A
6
Q

Isentropic processes

A

An isentropic process is one with no net change in entropy. It is equivalent to a process which is reversible and adiabatic. An example is compressing a gas in a cylinder.

7
Q

Free expansion

A

When a gas suddenly expands from a smaller region to a larger region. The temperature of an ideal gas does not change during free expansion.

8
Q

Fundamental thermodynamic identity

A
9
Q

Definition of temperature

A
10
Q

Relation between derivatives of P and T

A
11
Q

Definition of heat capacity at constant X (X = V or P)

A
12
Q

Formula used for calculation of heat capacity at constant volume

A
13
Q

Relation between ideal gas heat capacities

A
14
Q

Specific heat (c)

A
15
Q

Maximum efficiency for a heat engine

A
16
Q

Work done on a PV diagram

A

In a PV diagram, the work done is just the area of the interior of the shape.

17
Q

Fermi-Dirac distribution

A
18
Q

Bose-Einstein distribution

A
19
Q

What is the mu in the Fermi-Dirac and Bose-Eintsein formulas?

A

It is the chemical potential, which is, roughly speaking, the energy associated with adding or removing a particle from the system.

20
Q

Grand canonical ensemble

A

Like the canonical ensemble, but instead of fixing the number particles, you fix the chemical potential.

21
Q

Degeneracy factors in quantum statistical mechanics

A

For discrete states, we have g(Ei), which gives the number of states with the ith energy. If the energy levels are roungly continuous, we instead use the density of states.

22
Q

Number of particles total in the discrete energy case

A
23
Q

Number of particles total in the continuous energy case

A
24
Q

Heat capacity of an ideal relativistic gas

A
25
Q

Debye law (for low temperatures)

A
26
Q

Heat flow law

A