7. (a) What is the energy distribution function n(E) and why is it useful in the context of statistical physics? Consider an ideal gas vs. a "free electron gas", and write the general expression for the energy distribution function n(E) for each case separately. (b) In class, we derived the density of states for a free electron gas (i.e. electrons in a metal) using the model of the 3D infinite potential well which gives energy levels as:, πη E= (n² + n² + n²) 2mL² where L is the side length of a cubical "box". Now suppose instead that we consider physical systems in which the electrons are confined to move in a 2D "sheet" of side length L (e.g. a relevant material system is graphene), which can have energy levels given as: E h²x² ~ 2m² F² (m² + n²) where m* is an "effective mass". Derive the density of states for the 2D electron gas.

Classical Dynamics of Particles and Systems
5th Edition
ISBN:9780534408961
Author:Stephen T. Thornton, Jerry B. Marion
Publisher:Stephen T. Thornton, Jerry B. Marion
Chapter7: Hamilton's Principle-lagrangian And Hamiltonian Dynamics
Section: Chapter Questions
Problem 7.36P
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7. (a) What is the energy distribution function n(E) and why is it useful in the context of
statistical physics? Consider an ideal gas vs. a "free electron gas", and write the general
expression for the energy distribution function n(E) for each case separately.
(b) In class, we derived the density of states for a free electron gas (i.e. electrons in a
metal) using the model of the 3D infinite potential well which gives energy levels as:,
πη
E= (n² + n² + n²)
2mL²
where L is the side length of a cubical "box". Now suppose instead that we consider
physical systems in which the electrons are confined to move in a 2D "sheet" of side
length L (e.g. a relevant material system is graphene), which can have energy levels given
as:
E
h²x²
~ 2m² F² (m² + n²)
where m* is an "effective mass". Derive the density of states for the 2D electron gas.
Transcribed Image Text:7. (a) What is the energy distribution function n(E) and why is it useful in the context of statistical physics? Consider an ideal gas vs. a "free electron gas", and write the general expression for the energy distribution function n(E) for each case separately. (b) In class, we derived the density of states for a free electron gas (i.e. electrons in a metal) using the model of the 3D infinite potential well which gives energy levels as:, πη E= (n² + n² + n²) 2mL² where L is the side length of a cubical "box". Now suppose instead that we consider physical systems in which the electrons are confined to move in a 2D "sheet" of side length L (e.g. a relevant material system is graphene), which can have energy levels given as: E h²x² ~ 2m² F² (m² + n²) where m* is an "effective mass". Derive the density of states for the 2D electron gas.
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