Problem 7.3 (Schroeder’s Intro to Thermal Physics)

Problem 7.3

Consider a system consisting of a single hydrogen atom/ion, which has two possible states: unoccupied (i.e., no electron present) and occupied (i.e., one electron present, in the ground state). Calculate the ratio of the probabilities of these two states, to obtain the Saha equation, already derived in Section 5.6. Treat the electrons as a monatomic ideal gas, for the purpose of determining Neglect the fact that an electron has two independent spin states.

Solution:

Problem 7.3 Solution (Download)

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