Problem 2.23 (Schroeder’s Intro to Thermal Physics)

Problem 2.23

Consider a two-state paramagnet with elementary dipoles, with the total energy fixed at zero so that exactly half the dipoles point up and half point down.
(a) How many microstates are “accessible” to this system?
(b) Suppose that the microstate of this system changes a billion times per second. How many microstates will it explore in ten billion years (the age of the universe)?
(c) Is it correct to say that, if you wait long enough, a system will eventually be found in every “accessible” microstate? Explain your answer, and discuss the meaning of the word “accessible.”

Solution:

Problem 2.23 Solution (Download)

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