Lecture 23 The Maxwell Distribution

1
Lecture 23 The Maxwell Distribution Chapter 7,
Monday March 3rd

• Recap density of states in k-space
• Single-particle density of states in energy
• Maxwell distribution of speeds in a classical gas
• Using the distribution function

Reading Assigned problems, Ch. 7 6, 8, 12, 14,
16 Homework 7 due next Friday Exam 2 on Wed.
after spring break Review Monday after spring
break (in class)
2
Particle (standing wave) in a box
3
Density of states in k-space
kz
ky
kx
4
Convert to spherical coordinates
dk
kz
k
dVk
k
ky
k
k
kx
5
In 1D and 2D
kdq
dk
1D
k
dk
k
2D
6
Maxwell speed distribution
7
The molecular speed distribution function