Thermodynamics & Statistical Physics
7 terms
Macrostate
Thermodynamics & Statistical Physics
N/A
The macroscopic state of a thermodynamic system defined by observable thermodynamic variables like pressure, volume, temperature, and total energy.
Defined by (P, V, T, N, U)
Maxwell Relations
Thermodynamics & Statistical Physics
Various
A set of thermodynamic equations derived from equality of second partial derivatives of thermodynamic potentials (U, H, F, G).
(∂T/∂V)_S = -(∂P/∂S)_V, (∂T/∂P)_S = (∂V/∂S)_P, etc.
Maxwell-Boltzmann Distribution
Thermodynamics & Statistical Physics
s/m
The probability distribution describing particle speeds in an ideal gas in thermal equilibrium.
f(v) = 4π (m / (2π kB T))^(3/2) v² exp(-m v² / (2 kB T))
Mean Free Path
Thermodynamics & Statistical Physics
m
The average distance traveled by a moving gas particle between successive collisions with other particles.
λ = 1 / (√2 π d² n_V)
Microstate
Thermodynamics & Statistical Physics
N/A
A specific detailed microscopic configuration of a thermodynamic system, specifying exact positions and momenta of all constituent particles.
S = kB ln Ω
Molar Heat Capacity
Thermodynamics & Statistical Physics
J/(mol·K)
The heat energy required to raise the temperature of one mole of a substance by one Kelvin.
C_m = Q / (n ΔT), C_p - C_v = R
Most Probable Speed
Thermodynamics & Statistical Physics
m/s
The particle speed corresponding to the maximum peak of the Maxwell-Boltzmann speed distribution curve.
v_mp = √(2 kB T / m) = √(2 R T / M)