Boltzmann Equation

[EthanPham_1G]

Can someone explain the Boltzmann equation and what it is used to solve for? What is W (degeneracy)? How do you solve for W.

[Ashley Fang 2G]

The Boltzmann Equation is: S = K_BlnW
It shows the relationship between entropy and the number of ways the atoms or molecules of a thermodynamic system can be arranged.

[Robin Cadd 1D]

The Boltzmann Equation is: S = K_BlnW
It shows the relationship between entropy and the number of ways the atoms or molecules of a thermodynamic system can be arranged.

Accordingly, the Boltzmann equation can be used to solve for entropy.

[Brian Tangsombatvisit 1C]

To get a number for W, you would have to determine the total number of possible states that your molecule or atoms could be in. For a 2-state system, the total number of possible outcomes your system could have is 2^n, where n= the number of atoms. You would typically use this equation to solve for S, which you could use to plug into delta G = delta H - T delta S to determine whether a reaction is spontaneous or not (spontaneous if G is negative).

[Ruth Glauber 1C]

Can someone walk through an example?