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  Home > JCE Print > Journal of Chemical Education > Issues > 1999  > October  >
In the Classroom
A Simple Derivation of the Boltzmann Distribution
Sean A. C. McDowell
University of the West Indies, Cave Hill Campus, Department of Biological and Chemical Sciences, , Bridgetown, Barbados
Cover
October 1999
Vol. 76 No. 10
p. 1393
Abstract
The Boltzmann distribution is a central concept in chemistry and its derivation is usually a key component of introductory statistical mechanics courses. However, the derivation, as outlined in most standard physical chemistry textbooks, can be a particularly daunting task for undergraduate students because of the mathematical and conceptual difficulties involved in its presentation. A simple alternative derivation that links familiar concepts from thermodynamics to concepts from statistical mechanics is presented here.

See Letter re: this article
More Information
*  Citation
 McDowell, Sean A. C. J. Chem. Educ. 1999 76 1393.
*  Keywords
 Statistical Mechanics; Equilibrium; Physical Chemistry; Teaching / Learning Aids; Thermodynamics
*  History
 Created:
Last Updated:		 September 6, 1999
June 23, 2005
Link to Letter added (April 2004).
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