Boltzmann distribution: Difference between revisions

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The Maxwell-Boltzmann distribution function is a function ''f(E)'' which gives the
The '''Maxwell-Boltzmann distribution function''' is a function ''f(E)'' which gives the
probability that a given particle has the energy ''E''. This distribution is ''classical''
probability that a system in contact with a thermal bath at temperature ''T'' has energy
and is used to describe ''identical'' but ''distinguishable'' particles.
''E''. This distribution is ''classical'' and is used to describe systems with ''identical''
but ''distinguishable'' particles.


:<math>f(E) = \frac{1}{A \exp[E/k_B T]}</math>
:<math> f(E) \propto \Omega(E) \exp \left[ - E/k_B T \right] </math>,


where ''A'' is a normalisation constant.
where <math> \Omega \left( E \right) </math> is the degeneracy of the energy <math> E </math>; leading to 
 
:<math> f(E) = \frac{1}{Z} \Omega(E) \exp \left[ -E/k_B T \right] </math>.
 
where <math>k_B</math> is the [[Boltzmann constant]], ''T'' is the [[temperature]], and the normalization constant ''Z'' is the [[partition function]] of the system.
==See also==
*[[Boltzmann average]]
==References==
[[Category: Statistical mechanics]]
[[Category: Statistical mechanics]]

Latest revision as of 15:36, 17 July 2008

The Maxwell-Boltzmann distribution function is a function f(E) which gives the probability that a system in contact with a thermal bath at temperature T has energy E. This distribution is classical and is used to describe systems with identical but distinguishable particles.

,

where is the degeneracy of the energy ; leading to

.

where is the Boltzmann constant, T is the temperature, and the normalization constant Z is the partition function of the system.

See also[edit]

References[edit]