Question

a) Calculate the probability that a stamp (mass 0.1 g ) resting on a desktop at room temperature (300 K) will, as a result of thermal fluctuations, absorb sufficient heat from the desk to spontaneously jump to a height of 10^-8 cm or higher.

b) Give a physical interpretation of this number in term of an appropriate enemble.

Answer 1

Formulate the argument showing that these stamps obey the maxwell Boltzmann distribution Let m=mass of stamps=0.1g=1 times 10^-14 kg h=height=10^-8 cm=10^-10 m g=acceleration of gravity=9.8 m/s^2 T=room temperature =300k K=Boltzman constant =1.38 times 106-23 J/K Probability (p)=e^(-mgh/RT) p=exp[-1 times 10^-4 Kg times 9.8 times 10^-10/1.38 times 106-23 J/K times 300] p=0