Chapter 2: Q. 2.31 (page 79)
Fill in the algebraic steps to derive the Sackur-Tetrode equation
Short Answer
- The Sackur -Tetrode equation is
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Chapter 2: Q. 2.31 (page 79)
Fill in the algebraic steps to derive the Sackur-Tetrode equation
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According to the Sackur-Tetrode equation, the entropy of a monatomic ideal gas can become negative when its temperature (and hence its energy) is sufficiently low. Of course this is absurd, so the Sackur-Tetrode equation must be invalid at very low temperatures. Suppose you start with a sample of helium at room temperature and atmospheric pressure, then lower the temperature holding the density fixed. Pretend that the helium remains a gas and does not liquefy. Below what temperature would the Sackur-Tetrode equation predict that is negative? (The behavior of gases at very low temperatures is the main subject of Chapter .)
Use Stirling's approximation to find an approximate formula for the multiplicity of a two-state paramagnet. Simplify this formula in the limit to obtain . This result should look very similar to your answer to Problem ; explain why these two systems, in the limits considered, are essentially the same.
Using the same method as in the text, calculate the entropy of mixing for a system of two monatomic ideal gases, and , whose relative proportion is arbitrary. Let be the total number of molecules and let be the fraction of these that are of species . You should find
Check that this expression reduces to the one given in the text when .
Calculate the multiplicity of an Einstein solid with oscillators and units of energy. (Do not attempt to list all the microstates.)
Fun with logarithms.
Simplify the expression. (That is, write it in a way that doesn't involve logarithms.)
Assuming that , prove that . (Hint: Factor out the from the argument of the logarithm, so that you can apply the approximation of part of the previous problem.)
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