The Gibbs Paradox and the Distinguishability of Identical Particles
| Autor: | Versteegh, M.A.M., Dieks, D.G.B.J., History and Foundations of Science, Nanophotonics, Sub Physics of Condensed Matters begr, Sub Foundations&PhilosophyofNaturSc begr |
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| Jazyk: | angličtina |
| Rok vydání: | 2010 |
| Předmět: |
Physics
Statistical Mechanics (cond-mat.stat-mech) Entropy (statistical thermodynamics) Gibbs paradox General Physics and Astronomy FOS: Physical sciences Statistical mechanics Binary entropy function symbols.namesake symbols Statistical physics Quantum Condensed Matter - Statistical Mechanics Identical particles |
| Zdroj: | American Journal of Physics, 79(7), 741. American Association of Physics Teachers |
| ISSN: | 0002-9505 |
| Popis: | Identical classical particles are distinguishable. This distinguishability affects the number of ways W a macrostate can be realized on the micro-level, and from the relation S = k ln W leads to a non-extensive expression for the entropy. This result is usually considered incorrect because of its inconsistency with thermodynamics. It is sometimes concluded from this inconsistency that identical particles are fundamentally indistinguishable after all; and even that quantum mechanics is indispensable for making sense of this. In contrast, we argue that the classical statistics of distinguishable particles and the resulting non-extensive entropy function are perfectly acceptable from both a theoretical and an experimental perspective. The inconsistency with thermodynamics can be removed by taking into account that the entropy concept in statistical mechanics is not completely identical to the thermodynamical one. We observe that even identical quantum particles are in some cases distinguishable, and conclude that quantum mechanics is irrelevant to the Gibbs paradox. 15 pages |
| Databáze: | OpenAIRE |
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