PHYS 515: HW 5

Quiz: Thu 18 Feb 2016

1. In class we learned that pressure is defined in a statistical sense as

   
∂E ∂S
p=− =T .
∂V S ∂V E

We used the second expression to derive the ideal gas law. Here we will see that it also
follows from the first expression.

(a) We know that E = (3/2)N kB T for an ideal gas, which does not depend on volume.
Therefore p = −(∂E/∂V )S = 0. Where is the flaw in this reasoning?
(b) We found that Ω(E) = AV N E 3N/2 for an ideal gas in the limit of large N , where
A is a proportionality constant. Use the relation S = kB log Ω to solve for E in
terms of V and S.
(c) Now use p = −(∂E/∂V )S to calculate the pressure. Write your answer entirely
in terms of E and V .
(d) Finally, use E = (3/2)N kB T to recover the ideal gas law.

2. [After Reif Problem 2.11] A monatomic ideal gas expands quasi-statically from state
A to state B along the path shown in the figure. Calculate the total amount of heat
that the system absorbs, in Joules.

32 A
Pressure, p (N/m2 )

1 B
1 8
Volume, V (m3 )

3. [After Reif Problem 3.1] A box is separated by a partition which divides its volume
in the ratio 3:1. The larger portion of the box contains 1000 molecules of Ne gas; the
smaller, 100 molecules of He gas. A small hole is punctured in the partition, and one
waits until equilibrium is attained.

(a) Find the mean number of molecules of each type on either side of the partition.

1
 (b) What is the probability of finding 1000 molecules of Ne gas in the larger portion
and 100 molecules of He gas in the smaller (i.e., the same distribution as in the
initial system)?

4. [After Reif Problem 3.6] A glass bulb contains air at room temperature and at a pressure
of 1 atmosphere. It is placed in a chamber filled with helium gas at 1 atmosphere and
at room temperature. A few months later, the experimenter happens to read in a
journal article that the particular glass of which the bulb is made is quite permeable to
helium, although not to any other gases. Assuming that equilibrium has been attained
by this time, what gas pressure will the experimenter measure inside the bulb when
she goes back to check?