College Physics ›› 2026, Vol. 45 ›› Issue (5): 7-.doi: 10.16854/j.cnki.1000-0712.250391

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The solution of Mattis heat capacity model and its significance

Xiao Shifa   

  1. College of Physical Science and Technology,Lingnan Normal University, Zhanjiang, Guangdong 524048, China
  • Received:2025-07-29 Revised:2025-12-12 Online:2026-07-06 Published:2026-08-06

Abstract: In 2003, the famous statistical physicist Mattis constructed a heat capacity model at low temperatures to disprove that “the heat capacity is zero when the temperature approaches zero”can be taken as a statement of the third law of thermodynamics. This paper obtains the explicit solution of this model and discusses the significance of this solution and emphasizes that Mattis model is physically permissible.

Key words: thermodynamics, third law, heat capacity