Statistical Thermodynamics

by Maczek, Andrew

• ISBN13: 9780198559115
• ISBN10: 0198559119
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 1998-06-11
• Publisher: Oxford University Press

Summary

Statistical Thermodynamics sets out to provide the basic groundwork that will lead 3rd and 4th year undergraduate students of chemistry and chemical engineering from their existing knowledge of elementary classical thermodynamics to an understanding of the predictable statistical behaviour ofassemblies of large numbers of identical molecules, in an ideal gas at constant temperature and volume. It begins by establishing the basis of the Boltzmann distribution law and proceeds, through definition of the molecular partition function, to link the laws of thermodynamics (which avoid anymention of atomic or quantum theory) to the statistical behaviour of assemblies of quantum particles. Equations are derived that relate thermodynamic state functions to the molecular partition function and these form a basic tool kit with which to tackle problems from a knowledge only of therelative populations of quantum energy states. The various contributions to the partition function (translation, rotation, vibration, electronic) are explored and derived. The book ends with a chapter in which all the concepts are brought together in the calculation of equilibrium constants forreactions between ideal gases. A number of fully worked examples are included, making this an invaluable aid to undergraduate chemistry, physics, chemical engineering and materials science courses. Postgraduate biochemists and molecular biologists will also find this book useful.

Table of Contents

1 The Boltzmann law	1	(6)
2 Sum over states: the molecular partition function	7	(3)
3 Applications of the molecular partition function	10	(3)
4 From molecule to mole: the canonical partition function	13	(3)
5 Distinguishable and indistinguishable particles	16	(4)
6 Two-level systems: a case study	20	(6)
7 Thermodynamic functions: towards a statistical toolkit	26	(9)
8 The ideal monatomic gas: the translational partition function	35	(7)
9 The ideal diatomic gas: internal degrees of freedom	42	(5)
10 The ideal diatomic gas: the rotational partition function	47	(7)
11 ortho and para spin states: a case study	54	(4)
12 The ideal diatomic gas: the vibrational partition function	58	(8)
13 The electronic partition function	66	(4)
14 Heat capacity and Third Law entropy: two case studies	70	(7)
15 Calculating equilibrium constants	77	(16)
Index	93