2021/08/23 by Steuard Jensen · 1 voice
Computer Science · Physics and Astronomy · #Advanced Mathematical Theories and Applications #Quantum Computing Algorithms and Architecture #Quantum Mechanics and Applications #cond-mat.stat-mech #physics.ed-ph
paper · pdf · doi:10.1119/5.0061383
arxiv published 2021/08/23 · openalex publication_date 2022/09/22 · openalex created_date 2022/09/23 · arxiv updated 2023/08/17 · openalex updated_date 2026/05/21
Moore and Schroeder proposed an effective approach to introducing entropy and the second law through computational study of models with easily countable states at fixed energy. However, such systems are rare: the only familiar examples are the Einstein solid and the two-state paramagnet, which limits the available questions for assignment or discussion. This work considers the more general p-state paramagnet and describes the modestly more complicated counting of its microstates. An instructor can draw on this family of systems to assign a variety of new problems or open-ended projects that students can complete with the help of a spreadsheet program or analytic calculation.