Problem #0008 Quantum Physics Problem #0010 Chapters Chapters

710

Problem 49.20 RHK)

We have to show that (a) the molar internal energy of a solid can be written, according to Einstein’s theory of heat capacities, as

in which , where is the Einstein temperature . (b) We have to verify that approaches its classical value of

Solution:             Click For PDF Version

(a)

According to the Einstein’s theory of atomic oscillations, an oscillator with characteristic frequency at temperature T will have an average energy

As a molecule can oscillate in three independent directions, the total vibrational energy of a mole, , of molecules at temperature T will therefore be

We have used that the gas constant R and Avogadro number are related through the Boltzmann constant k as .

Einstein temperature is defined as

Therefore,

where we have substituted x for .

(b)

As