MathLivePartition function
The partition function sums the Boltzmann factors over all microstates of a system in thermal equilibrium at inverse temperature beta. It is the starting point for computing thermodynamic quantities such as free energy, energy and entropy.
Z(\beta) = \sum_i \exp(-\beta E_i)What the symbols mean
| canonical partition function, dimensionless, as a function of \beta | |
| inverse temperature, \beta = 1/(k_B T), in units of 1/energy | |
| energy of the i-th microstate, in joules | |
| index running over all microstates of the system |
About this formula
- FieldPhysics
- TopicStatistical mechanics
- LevelUniversity
- Also calledcanonical partition function, statistical sum over states, Boltzmann sum, partition function statistical mechanics, sum over states exp(-beta E)
- SourceWikidata Q230963
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