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Thermal equilibrium

Page history last edited by Joe Redish 5 years, 2 months ago

7.2.3.P4

 

Two Physics students are discussing the concept of thermal equilibriumHere’s a bit of their conversation:

 

Payton: We learned in chemistry that “thermal equilibrium” means that everything is uniform, 
every part of the system has the same temperature –so the same energy – and that nothing changes.

 

Eli: I’m not sure that’s true. Doesn’t the Boltzmann factor say something about that? I thought the Boltzmann factor described energies in thermal equilibrium.

 

Help these two students out. Does thermal equilibrium mean that everything is uniform? Is the Boltzmann factor relevant to this issue? How? Is the way you talk about thermal equilibrium the same in chemistry and physics?  Note: This is an essay question. Your answer will be judged not solely on its correctness, but for its depth, coherence, and clarity.

 

 

Joe Redish 3/2/18 

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