Understanding the Boltzmann microscopic interpretation of the second law of  thermodynamics from the Stirling formula

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  • School of Physics,Beijing Institute of Technology,Beijing 100081,China

Received date: 2024-08-27

  Revised date: 2024-09-27

  Online published: 2025-04-28

Abstract

 In this work,the thermodynamic probability problem of N gas molecules distributed in the left and right halves of a rectangular container is rigorously solved using the exact form of Stirlings formula,which quantitatively verifies Boltzmanns statistical interpretation of the microscopic nature of the second law of thermodynamics. It is shown that 95% of the total microscopic states are distributed in the ±Ninterval near the equilibrium state,i.e.,the relative fluctuations are 1/Nwith respect to N. Confusion and errors caused by the common Stirling approximation are discussed.

Cite this article

LI Yuanchang, LIU Yulong, LIU Peng, LV Yongjun, LI Jungang . Understanding the Boltzmann microscopic interpretation of the second law of  thermodynamics from the Stirling formula[J]. College Physics, 2025 , 44(2) : 45 . DOI: 10.16854/j.cnki.1000-0712.240395

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