Classical equipartition and quantum freeze-out
In a classical canonical model, each independent quadratic term in an unrestricted coordinate or momentum contributes k_BT/2 to the mean energy.
Key knowledge
In a classical canonical model, each independent quadratic term in an unrestricted coordinate or momentum contributes k_BT/2 to the mean energy. Quantum level spacing comparable with k_BT, constrained coordinates or nonquadratic energies can invalidate this per-term result.
Values and equations
⟨a z²⟩=k_BT/2 for a>0 and z∈ℝ
- a z²
- Quadratic energy term J
- a,z
- Coefficient and coordinate with units yielding energy
- k_B
- Boltzmann constant J K⁻¹
- T
- Temperature K
Conditions and scope
- Gaussian integrals converge and boundary contributions vanish; count quadratic terms rather than objects.
- A harmonic oscillator has both kinetic and potential terms and thus mean classical excitation energy k_BT.
Sources · 1
References
Sources retain their recorded scope. A source link alone does not establish verification of every statement.
Evidence and review
Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics (2016): Equipartition theorem: Quadratic-term canonical integration and equal energy contribution.
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Entry details
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- physics-equipartition
- Revision
- university-core.1
- Structured reference record
- University core expansion