Statistical Mechanics · Problem 6.19

Ideal Bose Systems — R. K. Pathria

Physics — Statistical Mechanics · helium-excited-state-fraction

Problem

The energy difference between the lowest electronic state

{}^1S_0

and the first excited state

{}^3S_1

of the helium atom is 159,843 cm

^{-1}

. Evaluate the relative fraction of the excited atoms in a sample of helium gas at a temperature of 6000 K.