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Thermodynamics & Statistical Physics

Microstate

A specific detailed microscopic configuration of a thermodynamic system, specifying exact positions and momenta of all constituent particles.

Governing formula S = kB ln Ω
SI unit N/A

In depth

Statistical mechanics assumes all accessible microstates corresponding to a given macrostate are equally probable in equilibrium (Fundamental Postulate).

Examples in the real world

Specifying 3D spatial coordinates $(x_i, y_i, z_i)$ and momentum components $(p_{xi}, p_{yi}, p_{zi})$ for all $10^{23}$ gas molecules in a container.