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Quiz Problem 1. Prove the expression for the Carnot efficiency for a perfectly reversible Carnot cycle using an
ideal gas.
Solution: The ideal Carnot cycle consists of four segments as follows (1) An isothermal expansion during which
heat QH is added to the system at temperature TH ; (2) an adiabatic expansion during which the gas cools from
temperature TH to TC ; (3) An isothermal compression during which heat QC is extracted from the system to a cold
reservoir at temperature TC ; (4) Adiabatic compression during which the temperature of the gas rises from TC to TH .
The efficiency of the engine is given by η = W/QH , where W is the useful work done by the system and QH is the
heat added to the system. This is a thermodynamic cycle provided it is carried out reversibly (i.e. kept very close
to equilibrium), and then the internal energy is the same at the beginning and the end of the cycle. In that case,
dU = 0, and Wtotal = QH − QL , so we can also write the efficiency as
QL TL ∆S TL
η =1− =1− =1− (1)
QH TH ∆S TH
The introduction of Entropy by Clausius greatly simplified understanding of engines.
—————–
Quiz Problem 2. ShowP that in the eigenfunction basis, the von Neuman entropy S = −kB tr(ρ̂ln(ρ̂)) reduces to
the Gibbs form S = −kB i pi ln(pi ) where the sum is over all eigenstates.
—————–
Quiz Problem 3. Use Stirling’s approximation to show that,
N
ln( ) ≈ −N [pln(p) + (1 − p)ln(1 − p)], where p = n/N (2)
n
Solution. Using Stirling’s approximation we have,
N
ln( ) = ln(N !) − ln(n!) − ln(N − n)! = N ln(N ) − N − nln(n) + n − (N − n)ln(N − n) + (N − n) (3)
n
which reduces to
N
ln( ) = N ln(N ) − nln(n) − (N − n)ln(N − n). (4)
n
Defining p = n/N gives,
N
ln( ) = N ln(N ) − pN ln(pN ) − N (1 − p)ln(N (1 − p)) = −N [pln(p) + (1 − p)ln(1 − p)] (5)
n
—————–
Quiz Problem 4. If S = −kB N [pln(p) + (1 − p)ln(1 − p)], by doing a variation with respect to p find the value
of p that gives the maximum entropy. Demonstrate that it is a maximum by showing that the second derivative with
respect to p is negative.
The extrema occur at values of p = p∗ where this expression is zero, which yields p∗ = 1/2. To determine whether
this is a minimum of maximum, we take the second derivative to find that,
∂2S 1 1
2
= −kB N [ + ]p=p∗ = −kB N (7)
∂p p 1−p
Since the second derivative is negative the extremum at p∗ = 1/2 is a maximum. We have thus found the value of
the probability at which the entropy is a maximum.
—————–
Quiz Problem 5. Use the Master equation to prove the second law of thermodynamics, i.e. in a closed system
dS/dt ≥ 0.
—————–
Quiz Problem 6. Give three examples of systems where the ergodic hypothesis fails. Explain why it fails in these
cases.
Solution. Non-interacting classical gas, as in the absence of interactions the systems is non-chaotic. Coupled
harmonic oscillators with no other interactions, as the normal modes do not share energy. Any system with spon-
taneous symmetry breaking at low temperature, e.g. magnetic systems. Once in the up magnetized state at low
enough temperature the system stays in that state. Similarly once a crystal has formed from the gas phase at low
temperature it almost never transforms to another crystal phase.
—————–
Quiz Problem 7. Why is the ideal gas law still a good starting point for high temperature gases, even though a
non-interacting gas is non-ergodic?
Solution. Even very small interactions can make the system chaotic. These interactions have little effect on
the equilibrium thermodynamic behavior though they are critical to the transport properties.
—————–
Quiz Problem 8. Using pi = e−βEi /Z in the GibbsP form for the entropy, show that F = −kB T ln(Z), where
F = U − T S is the Helmholtz free energy. Here Z = i e−βEi is the canonical partition function.
Using the Boltzmann probability in the canonical ensemble pi = exp(−βEi )/Z, we have,
X −Ei U
S = −kB pi [ − ln(Z)] = + kB ln(Z) so U − T S = −kB T ln(Z), (9)
i
kB T T
P P
where we used i pi = 1, U = i pi Ei
—————–
Quiz Problem 9. If x = e−β(Ei −Ej ) , so that wji → f (x). Show that the Metropolis algorithm is given by
f (x) = min(x, 1).
Solution With this notation, the Metropolis algorithm is: If x > 1, wji = 1, and if x < 1, wji = x. This can be
put in one equation as wji = f (x) = min(1, x).
3
—————–
Quiz Problem 10. If x = e−β(Ei −Ej ) , so that wji → f (x). Show that detailed balance is satisfied for any f (x)
satisfying f (x)/f (1/x) = x. Moreover, show that f (x) = x/(1 + x), the heat bath algorithm, is one such solution.
Solution Since wij = 1/wji , if f (x) = wji , and if f (1/x) = wij , then detailed balance is satisfied provided
f (x)/f (1/x) = x. For the heat bath case,
—————–
Quiz Problem 11. For a monatomic interacting classical gas, with interactions that only depend on the particle
co-ordinates, derive the Maxwell Boltzmann distribution of velocities and show that the average kinetic energy is
given by < KE >= 3N kB T /2.
—————–
Quiz Problem 12. Using the fact that δE 2 =< E 2 > − < E >2 = kB T 2 CV show that δE/E is proportional 1/N 1/2 .
—————–
Quiz Problem 13. Write down the central difference form of the second derivative. Using this expression for the
acceleration, write down the basic form of the Verlet algorithm for Molecular dynamics.
—————–
P
Quiz Problem 14. Given that the virial is defined to be G = k p~k · ~rk . Explain why the average of its time
derivative is expected to be zero at long times.
1 τ dG
Z
dG
< >= dt = (G(τ ) − G(0))/τ
dt τ 0 dt
where the average is taken over the time interval τ . Since G is bounded, as τ goes to infinity, the average of the time
derivative of G goes to zero.
—————–
Quiz Problem 15. The ground state structure of Argon is a fcc crystal. If a MD simulation is carried out where
a high temperature structure is quenched to a low temperature where the fcc structure is the equilibrium state. If
the starting high temperature state in your MD simulation is a liquid phase, do you expect the simulation to find the
correct fcc state? Explain.
Solution. For most particle systems it is difficult to find the low temperature ground state, so the fcc single crystal
state is usually not found. In experiments a polycrystal is quit often found but it is harder to make single crystals.
In MD simulations, the timescale is very short so unless special conditions are applied, the low temperature state is
a frozen glass state.
4
—————–
Quiz Problem 16. In a MC calculation of the ferromagnetic Ising model on a square lattice, you calculate the
magnetization as a function of temperature as accurately as you can. However your simulations remain rounded
at the critical point, instead of showing the behavior |Tc − T |β expected in the thermodynamic limit. Explain the
physical origins of the rounding that you observe. Your experimental colleague does a measurement of a model Ising
magnet that consists of quantum dots with around 1000 spins in each quantum dot. She also observes a rounding
of the behavior of the magnetization. Provide some reasons why her magnetization experiment also gives a rounded
behavior near the critical point.
Solution. Three reasons for rounding of the transition are finite size effects, sample inhomogeneity and non-
equilibrium effects. Non-equilibrium effects occur when the system is not fully equilibrated. In experiments all three
effects occur, while in simulations the sample inhomogeneity effect is avoided.
—————–
Quiz Problem 17. Derive the relation,
internal
1 X
P V = N kB T + ~rk · F~k (11)
3
k
Explain the physical origin of each of the three terms. This relation is not always true for periodic boundary condi-
tions, though rather fortuitiously it is true for periodic boundaries provided the interaction potential is a pair potential.
—————–
Quiz Problem 18. Show that
(δE)2 = kB T 2 CV (12)
Solution. See page 28 of the notes.
Solution:. In an adiabatic process no heat is added to the system, so dU +dW = 0, where dW = P dV . Combining
the ideal gas law and the equipartion theorem, we have
dU = αN kB dT = αd(P V ) = α(V dP + P dV ) (13)
where α = DOF/2. Using the first law, we then have,
dP dV
−P dV = α(V dP + P dV ) or α = −(α + 1) (14)
P V
Integrating gives,
P V0
= ( )1+1/α (15)
P0 V
which may be written in its most common form,
α+1
P V γ = constant where γ = (16)
α
For a mono-atomic ideal gas in three dimensions there are three translational degrees of freedom, so DOF = 3,
α = 3/2, and γ = 5/3.
5
—————–
Problem 2: Derive the ideal monatomic gas law using kinetic theory. You may use the equipartition result
U = 23 N kB T .
Solution: The internal energy of an ideal gas is purely kinetic energy, so that,
3 1X 1
U= N kB T = m < [(vxi )2 + (vyi )2 + (vzi )2 ] >= N m < ~v 2 > (17)
2 2 i 2
The pressure is calculated by considering a particle incident normally on a perfectly reflecting wall,
∆px 2mvx
Fx = max = m = (18)
δt δt
The time taken for the particle to strike the wall again is δt = 2L/vx , so that
P i
2mvx2 m i (vxi 2 )
P
i Fx
Fwall = so that P = = (19)
2L A AL
Noting that V = AL, with i (vx ) = 13 < ~v 2 > and combining (12) and (14) yields,
P i 2
X
PV = m (vxi )2 = N kB T (20)
i
—————–
P
Problem 3. Find the degeneracy Ω(E, N ) for N a spin 1/2 Ising system with Hamiltonian H = −h i Si .
Solution: The energy of a spin state depends only on the number of up spins Nu , and the number of down spins
Nd , but not their arrangement. We then have,
h N!
E = − (Nu − Nd ), with degeneracy Ω(E) = (21)
2 Nu !Nd !
We also have N = Nu + Nd , so that
h N E E N
E = − (2Nu − N ) or Nu = − , Nd = − (22)
2 2 h h 2
Since entropy is the kB ln(Ω(E)), we use Stirling’s approximation to write,
which shows that the entropy in this model is extensive. In terms of f , E = (N h/2)(2f − 1). We define = E/N , so
that f = 1/2 − /h. Finally the entropy is,
S = −kB ln(Ω(E)) = −kB N [(1/2 − /h)ln(1/2 − /h) + (/h − 1/2)ln(/h − 1/2)] (25)
—————–
6
Problem 4. Consider a random walk on a one dimensional lattice where the probability of stepping to the right
or to the left is 1/2. Find the probability that after N steps the walker is at position x lattice units from the starting
position. Use Stirling’s approximation to show that for large N the probability distribution is a Gaussian in x. Find
the average mean square distance the walker is from the origin as a function of N .
Solution: Let us define the number of steps that the student takes to be N = t/δt. The number of steps taken in
the positive x-direction, n, and the number taken in the negative x-direction, m, must add up to N , so that,
N =n+m (26)
The x position of the student at time t = N δt is given by x = dδx, where
d = (n − m). (27)
But what is the probability that the student reaches this position at time t?
1 N! 1 N!
P (d, N ) = N
= N (28)
2 m!n! 2 ((N + d)/2)!((N − d)/2)!
Stirling’s approximation:
Log(n!) ≈ nln(n) − n (29)
We then have,
Ln(P (d, N )) ≈ −N Ln(2) + N Ln(N ) − N
N +d
− Ln((N + d)/2) + (N + d)/2
2
N −d
−( )Log((N − d)/2) + (N − d)/2 (30)
2
This reduces to,
Ln(P (d, N )) ≈ −N Ln(2) + N Ln(N )
N +d
− [Ln(N ) + Ln(1 + d/N ) − Ln(2)]
2
N −d
−( )[Ln(N ) + Ln(1 − d/N ) − Ln(2)] (31)
2
Defining y = d/N and expanding for small y yields,
N N 1 1
ln(P (d, N )) = − [(1 + y)ln(1 + y) + (1 − y)ln(1 − y)] ≈ − [(1 + y)(y − y 2 ) + ...) + (1 − y)(−y − y 2 ) + ...)] (32)
2 2 2 2
To leading order this yields
d2
ln(P (d, N )) ≈ −N y 2 = − (33)
N
or,
2 2
δt/(δx)2 t
P (d, N ) ≈ e−d /N
→ e−x . (34)
Comparing to the solutions to the continuum diffusion equation in one dimension, this shows that the diffusion
constant is related to the stochastic parameters δx and δt through,
D ≈ (δx)2 /δt. (35)
From the probability distribution (28), it is easy to see that the average displacement of an ink particle is < x >= 0,
but the typical distance from the origin is (< x2 > − < x >2 )1/2 ≈ N 1/2 δx.
7
—————–
Problem 5. Prove the central limit theorem for a set of N independent subsystems that each have an energy Ei
drawn from a Gaussian distribution with standard deviation σ. You will need to use the integral,
Z ∞
2 π b2
e−ax +bx dx = ( )1/2 e 4a (36)
−∞ a
Solution: Consider any intensive thermodynamic variable Xi (e.g. E/N ) that has a different value in each of N
subsystems. Consider each subsystem to have the same volume and that each subsystem is statistically equivalent.
Each subsystem is assumed to have a statistical behavior that is Gaussian distributed, so that,
−1/2 Xi2
P1 (Xi ) = 2πσ 2 e− 2σ2 (37)
where we assumed that each subsystem has the same statistical variations, quantified by σ. We would like to calculate
the statistical behavior of the quantity
N
1 X
XN = Xi (38)
N i=1
we find,
Z ∞ Z ∞ Xi2
−N/2 1 Y
dXi e− 2σ2 eiy(
P
Xi −N X N )
PN (X N ) = 2πσ 2 dy i (41)
−∞ 2π −∞ i
which is equivalent to
Z ∞
2 −N/2
dy −iyN X N N
PN (X N ) = 2πσ e [I] (42)
−∞ 2π
where
Z ∞
X2 1/2 σ2 y2
I= dXe− 2σ2 eiyX = 2πσ 2 e− 2 (43)
−∞
Finally,
Z ∞
dy −iyN X N − N σ2 y2 1 2 2
PN (X N ) = e e 2 = 1/2
e−X N /2σN (44)
−∞ 2π (2πN ) σ
Solution: The number of ways of arranging the system is given by the multinomial,
N!
Ω({ni }) = (45)
n1 !n2 !...nm !
8
which is the same form as the Gibbs entropy, though the interpretation of pi is different here as it is not the probability
of an individual many body state.
—————–
Problem 7. Derive Stirling’s approximation ln(N !) = N ln(N ) − N .
—————–
Problem 8. Find the entropy of a system of N non-interacting gas particles in a box of volume V = Ld , where d
is the dimension. Consider two cases: Where the particles are distinguishable; and where they are indistinguishable.
Is the entropy extensive in both cases? Assume that all configuration of the particles have the same energy, so we
can ignore the kinetic energy term.
Solution
In the case where all of the particles are distinguishable, the number of available configurations is V N as each
particle can be at any position in the volume. The entropy is then S = kB N ln(V ), which is not extensive. Gibb’s
realized that identical particles are not distinguishable so the naive calculation of the number of states V N is not
valid. Instead, we must order the co-orindates to eliminate overcounting of indistinguishable particles.
Consider a set of particles with co-ordinates ~r1 ...~rN . If we order one component of these co-ordinates, say the
x-component so that x1 ≥ x2 ≥ x3 ... ≥ xN then the co-ordinates of the particles are always different hence ensuring
that there is no overcounting. The integration over the spatial co-ordinates then becomes,
Z L Z x1 Z xN −1
d−1 LN VN
Ω=L dx1 dx2 ... dxN = L(d−1)N = (49)
0 0 0 N! N!
The entropy of indistinguishable particles is then,
Solution We consider that the statistics of an extensive quantity X obeys a distribution g(X) that has mean X∞
and standard deviation σ. Without loss of generality, we can set X∞ = 0 by a simple shift of X. The statistical
behavior of X N is given by,
Z ∞Y
2 −N/2
X
PN (X N ) = 2πσ dXi g(xi )δ( Xi − N X N ) (51)
−∞ i i
9
we find,
Z ∞ Z ∞
−N/2 1 Y P
Xi −N X N )
PN (X N ) = 2πσ 2 dy dXi g(Xi )eiy( i (53)
−∞ 2π −∞ i
which is equivalent to
Z ∞
2 −N/2
dy −iyN X N N
PN (X N ) = 2πσ e [I] (54)
−∞ 2π
where
Z ∞
I= dXg(X)eiyX (55)
−∞
Now X is extensive, so the exponential is a rapidly oscillating function and the integral is dominated by the region
near y = 0. We then expand the exponential to find,
Z ∞ Z ∞
iyX 1
I= dXg(X)e ≈ dXg(X)(1 − iyX − y 2 X 2 + ...) (56)
−∞ −∞ 2
Finally, this is of the same form as that of Problem 5 and hence the result there applies,
Z ∞
dy −iyN X N − N σ2 y2 1 2 2
PN (X N ) = e e 2 = 1/2
e−X N /2σN (58)
−∞ 2π (2πN ) σ
Solution:
a) We have
∂U ∂U
= 2x; and = 3xy (59)
∂x ∂y
so that
∂2U ∂2U
= 1/y 2 6= = 3y (60)
∂x∂y ∂y∂x
Therefore dU IS NOT an exact differential.
b) We have
∂U −1 ∂U x
= ; and = 2 (61)
∂x y ∂y y
10
so that
∂2U 1 ∂2U 1
= 2 = = 2 (62)
∂x∂y y ∂y∂x y
Therefore dU IS an exact differential.
c) We have
∂U ∂U
= −y; and =x (63)
∂x ∂y
so that
∂2U ∂2U
= −1 6= =1 (64)
∂x∂y ∂y∂x
Therefore dU IS NOT an exact differential.
Now we solve the three cases and if possible find U .
a) We find,
dy −2 4 4
= , with solution y= (c − x)1/2 ; or y = − (c + x)1/2 (65)
dx 3y 3 3
b) In this case,
dy y
= , with solution y = cx (66)
dx x
This is an exact differential, where U (x, y) = −x/y.
c) The solution for dU = 0 is the same as b), but for finite U , it is not an exact differential so we cannot find
U (x, y) to satisfy the equation.
—————–
Problem 11. By using the fact that S is extensive show that
∂S ∂S ∂S
N +V +U =S (67)
∂N V,U ∂V N,U ∂U N,V
Using the relations inferred from this equation in Eq. (68) yields N µ = U + P V − T S.
—————–
Problem 12. Using the fundamental thermodynamic relation and N µ = U + P V − T S prove the Gibbs-Duhem
relation.
—————–
Solution: Since the independent variables are S, P, N , we choose the enthalpy and write,
∂H ∂H ∂H
dH = T dS + V dP + µdN = dS + dP + dN (73)
∂S P,N ∂P S,N ∂N S,P
hence,
∂H ∂H
=V; = µ. (74)
∂P S,N ∂N S,P
Because dH is an exact differential, the order of the derivatives of H in Eq. (76) and (77) does not matter so these
expressions are equivalent hence proving the Maxwell relation (73).
—————–
Problem 14. From the fundamental thermodynamic relation show that,
2
∂CP ∂ V
= −T . (77)
∂P T,N ∂T 2 P,N
Solution: Since the independent variables in the expression are T, P , we consider the Gibb’s free energy G(T, P, N ),
so that,
∂G ∂G ∂G
dG = −SdT + V dP + µdN = dT + dP + dN (78)
∂T P,N ∂P T,N ∂N T,P
hence,
∂G ∂G
= −S; = V. (79)
∂T P,N ∂P T,N
We can change the order of the derivatives of the expression on the left hand side, and use the fact that CP =
T (∂S/∂T )P to write,
2 2
∂(CP /T ) ∂ V ∂CP ∂ V
− = 2
; or = −T (82)
∂P T,N ∂T P,N ∂P T,N ∂T 2 P,N
—————–
Problem 15. The equipartition theorem states that for a classical particle system of volume V with N particles,
described by Hamiltonian H, the following relations hold,
∂H
< si >= kT δij (83)
∂sj
where si can be either the spatial or momentum co-ordinate. Using the canonical partition function, carry out the
integrals explicitly to verify this theorm for a system described by the quadratic Hamiltonian,
X p2 X1
i
H= + kqi2 . (84)
i
2m i
2
Find the internal energy of this system as a function of temperature. Is this consistent with the equipartion theorem?
dωq q e−βH
R
< qi qj >= R i j (87)
dωe−βH
Reduces to,
(1) (1) (2)
Ii Ij Ii
< qi qj >= (0) (0)
, f or i 6= j; < qi qj >= (0)
, f or i = j; (88)
Ii Ij Ii
( (
Now note that Ii l) and Ji l) are zero for l odd, and also that they are independent on the index i, we thus find,
R ∞ 2 −βkq2 /2
q e dq
< qi qj >= δij R−∞
∞ −βkq 2 /2
(89)
−∞
e dq
where (2n − 1)!! = (2n − 1)(2n − 3)... and is one for n = 0 or n = 1. Using this result verifies the equipartition formula.
The calculation for the momentum is essentially the same.
The internal energy is < H > and since we have found that k < qi2 >=< p2i > /m = kB T , the internal energy
of this problem is 3N kB T . This is consistent with the equipartition formula that assigns kB T /2 for every quadratic
degree of freedom. Here there are six degrees of freedom of that type.
13
—————–
Problem 16. You discover a new state of matter that has equation of state and internal energy given by,
where B, n, V0 are constants while f (T ) only depends on the temperature. Find a numerical value for n, and find a
relation between the constants B and A.
Solution It is convenient to define an entropy that is a Legendre transform of the conventional entropy so that,
U
SL = S − (92)
T
We then have,
P U
dSL = dV + 2 dT (93)
T T
where we used dS = dU/T + P dV /T . The Maxwell relation derived from dSL in combination with the functions given
in the problem definition yield,
∂ AT 2 ∂ f (T )
( )= (BT n−2 ln(V /V0 ) + ) (94)
∂T V ∂V T2
This equation is satisfied provided n = 3 and B = 2A.
—————–
Problem 17. From the fundamental thermodynamic relation show that (here we use β = 1/T )
∂N ∂E
T = (95)
∂T V,βµ ∂µ T,V
Solution: Since the independent variables are β, V, βµ, we start with the entropy form of the fundamental relation,
where β = 1/T . Since the independent variables in the desired expression are β, V, βµ, we define, Y = S −βU +(βµ)N ,
so that,
∂Y ∂Y ∂Y
dY (β, V, βµ) = −U dβ + βP dV + N d(βµ) = dβ + dV + d(βµ) (97)
∂β V,βµ ∂V β,βµ ∂βµ β,V
hence,
∂Y ∂Y
= −U ; = N, (98)
∂β V,βµ ∂(βµ) β,V
Since β is constant for the left hand side derivative, we can take it outside. For the right hand derivative, we use the
chain rule to find
−1 ∂U ∂N ∂T
= (100)
β ∂µ β,V ∂T βµ,V ∂β βµ,V
—————–
Problem 18. From the fundamental thermodynamic relation show that
1 ∂T ∂N 2 ∂(S/N ) ∂P
=− and −ρ = (101)
T 2 ∂βµ E,V ∂E βµ,V ∂ρ T,N ∂T ρ,N
Solution: For the first equation, the variables held constant are βµ and E, so we use the entropy form of the
fundamental relation, dS = βdU + βP dV − βµdN . We also define Y = S + (βµ)N to find a relation that has βµ as
an independent variable. We then have,
∂Y ∂Y ∂Y
dY (U, V, βµ) = βdU + βP dV + N d(βµ) = dV + dV + d(βµ) (102)
∂U V,βµ ∂V U,βµ ∂βµ U,V
which is the first relation of Eq. (101). The second relation of equation (101) has T, V, N as independent variables,
so we use the Helmholtz free energy,
∂F ∂F ∂F
dF = −SdT − P dV + µdN = dT + dV + dN (105)
∂T V,N ∂V T,N ∂N T,V
The expression on the left hand side may be rewritten using the chain rule,
V 2 ∂S
∂S ∂S ∂V
= =− (107)
∂ρ T,N ∂V T,N ∂ρ T,N N ∂V T,N
N2
∂(S/N ) 2 ∂(S/N ) ∂P ∂P
− 2 = −ρ = = (108)
V ∂V T,N ∂V T,N ∂T V,N ∂T ρ,N
This yields,
∂ρ ∂T ∂(S/N ) NT 1 ∂P
=− = (112)
∂T S/N,N ∂(S/N ) ρ,N ∂ρ T,N CV ρ2 ∂T ρ,N
Using the second expression in (101) and (112) in (110) yields the desired result.
—————–
Problem 20. Consider a system with an order parameter, x. If the volume(V ), energy(E) and particle number(N )
are fixed, then the system will choose the value of x with the maximum entropy. Now consider that the same system
is connected to a reservoir that has temperature T and chemical potential µ, so it can exchange energy and particles
with the reservoir. Show that the total entropy, that is the sum of the entropy of the reservoir and the system, is
maximized when
∂P
=0 (113)
∂x T,µ,V
Hint: You can assume the system and reservoir are at the same temperature and chemical potential as required by
equilibrium. Moreover you may use P V = T S − E + µN .
Solution: Since the variables that are kept fixed are T, µ, V , we use the grand potential ΦG = U − T S − µN , so
that,
Now we take a derivative of this expression with respect to x at fixed T, V, µ. Since the entropy is maximized, the
Grand potential is minimized, so that
∂ΦG ∂P
= 0 = −V (115)
∂x T,V,µ ∂x T,V,µ
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Problem 21. Consider a system where the thermodynamics are a function of temperature and another variable x
which can be varied by an experimentalist. Assuming that
∂E
= T ; and using F = E − T S (116)
∂S x
show that,
∂E ∂F
= (117)
∂x S ∂x T
Using this result, along with the first of Eq. (116), in Eq. (118) proves Eq. (117).
16
—————–
so that,
∂2F
∂F ∂S
S=− ; and =− (123)
∂T V,N ∂T V,N ∂T 2 V,N
—————–
Problem 23. Show that
∂(F/T )
U= (124)
∂(1/T ) N,V
where the last expression on the right hand side is found using the chain rule. We also have,
∂F ∂F ∂F
dF = −SdT − P dV + µdN = dT + dV + dN (126)
∂T V,N ∂V T,N ∂N T,V
so that
∂F
= −S. (127)
∂T V,N
Therefore,
∂(βF )
= F + TS = U (128)
∂β N,V
Now express the pressure of the ideal classical gas in terms of the variables µ and T and using this expression verify
the equations above.
Solution: We use the fact that the Gibbs free energy is µN to write
∂G ∂µ
=N (130)
∂P T,N ∂P T,N
We also have,
∂G ∂G ∂G
dG = dT + dP + dN = −SdT + V dP + µdN (131)
∂T P,N ∂P T,N ∂N T,P
so that
∂G
= V. (132)
∂P T,N
Using this relation in Eq. (130) proves the second identity in (129). To prove the first relation in (129), we use the
triple product identity,
∂P ∂µ ∂T
= −1. (133)
∂T µ,N ∂P T,N ∂µ P,N
Using the second relation in Eq. (129) for the second term in the product (133) and using (134) leads to the first
relation in (129).
—————–
Solution: The fundamental thermodynamic relation is dU = T dS − P dV + µdN , so the independent variables are
S, V, N . To find the desired expression using a Maxwell relation approach, we need independent variables T, P, µ, so
we define Y = U − T S + P V − µN , so that,
∂Y ∂Y ∂Y
dY = −SdT + V dP − N dµ = dT + dP + dµ (136)
∂T P,µ ∂P T,µ ∂µ T,P
so that,
∂Y ∂Y ∂Y
= −S; =V; = −N (137)
∂T P,µ ∂P T,µ ∂µ T,P
and hence,
! !
∂ ∂Y ∂S ∂ ∂Y ∂V
=− = (138)
∂P ∂T P,µ ∂P T,µ ∂T ∂P T,µ ∂T P,µ
T,µ P,µ
Since the order of differentiation does not matter, as dY is an exact derivative, the relation (135) is proven.
—————–
18
Problem 26. Consider a single harmonic oscillator with energies n = h̄ω(n + 1/2). Find the average energy of the
system as a function of temperature. Find the average occupancy of each energy level as a function of temperature.
Is there are regime where your result for the average energy is in agreement with the equipartition theorem?
Solution The energy levels of the Harmonic oscillator are given by n = h̄ω(n + 1/2), so the canonical partition
function is given by,
X e−βh̄ω/2
Z1 = e−βh̄ω(n+1/2) = (139)
n=0
1 − e−βh̄ω
In the high temperature limit, this reduces to < E >= 21 h̄ω + kB T which has the equipartition term (2 degrees of
freedom) plus a quantum correction that is negligible at high temperature.
—————–
Problem 27. For a pure state show that
ρ̂2 = ρ̂ (142)
and
X
(ρ̂2 )nm = an a∗l al a∗m = ank a∗mk (144)
l
a∗l al = 1 for an orthonormal wavefunction. For a mixed state the elements of the density matrix
P
where we used l
are given by,
X
(ρ̂)nm = pk ank a∗mk (145)
k
which is clearly not the same. The purity of the mixed state is,
XX
Pu = tr(ρ̂2 ) = pk pk0 ank a∗lk alk0 a∗nk0 (147)
kk0 ln
—————–
19
Problem 28. Consider two single particle pure states with wavefunctions
1
|ψ >± = (|0 > ±|1 >) (148)
21/2
Write down the density matrix for each of these pure states and verify that they have purity equal to one. Now
consider the density matrix of a mixed state consisting of ρ̂ = p+ ρ̂+ + p− ρ̂− , where p+ + p− = 1. Find the purity of
this state, and the value of the mixing probability p+ at which the purity is smallest.
+1 1 1 −1 1 −1
ρ̂ = ρ̂ = (149)
2 1 1 2 −1 1
1 2 2 1 2 −2
(ρ̂+ )2 = (ρ̂− )2 = (150)
4 2 2 4 −2 2
which confirms the identity. The purity is clearly Pu = 1. For the mixed case we have,
p+ + p− −
ρ̂ = ρ̂ + ρ̂ (151)
2 2
From which we find,
p+ + p− − 2
(ρ̂)2 = ( ρ̂ + ρ̂ ) = (p+ )2 ρ̂+ + (p− )2 ρ̂− = (p+ )2 + (1 − p+ )2 = 1 − 2p+ + 2p2+ ≤ 1 (152)
2 2
the minimum occurs at p+ = 1/2 and the maximum at p+ = 1.
Problem 29. Show that Eqs. (179) of the lecture notes reduce to Eqs. (178) in the eigenvalue basis.
Û Ĥ Û † = λ̂E (153)
where U is a unitary matrix and λE is the diagonal matrix with the eigenvalues of the hamiltonian H on the diagonal.
We then have,
X †
Z= e−βEi = tr(e−β λ̂E ) = tr(Û † e−β λ̂E Û ) = tr(e−β Û λ̂E Û ) = tr(e−β Ĥ ) (154)
i
where we used the trace property tr(ABC) = T r(BCA) and the property of unitary matrices Û † Û = Û Û † = 1̂, where
1̂ is the identity matrix. The other expressions are transformed in a similar way.
—————–