## Week 4 lecture 3 calculating W question

$\Delta U=q+w$

Eugene Chung 3F
Posts: 142
Joined: Wed Nov 15, 2017 3:03 am

### Week 4 lecture 3 calculating W question

In class, we went over calculating w right before it ended. Could someone explain what the microstates are?

Tracy Tolentino_2E
Posts: 140
Joined: Sat Sep 07, 2019 12:17 am

### Re: Week 4 lecture 3 calculating W question

Microstates are a part of the Boltzmann equation. Microstates (W) is the number of ways in a system for energy of molecules to be arranged. In the example given, there are two atoms with two same energy states. Therefore, there are 4 different ways (micro states) of arranging the energy of the atoms. If both energies of the molecules are within one of the two states, then W = 4 because 2^2. If there's 1 particle in each of the two states, then W=2 because 2^1.

Nick Lewis 4F
Posts: 111
Joined: Wed Sep 18, 2019 12:18 am

### Re: Week 4 lecture 3 calculating W question

Does anyone know the point in microstates? I understood lavelle's discussion about this and the Boltzmann equation, but am having trouble understanding its applications. What is the point in making these distinctions?