An Introduction to Thermal Physics · Problem 8.17

Systems of Interacting Particles — Daniel Schroeder

Physics — Statistical Mechanics · ising-model-two-dipoles

Problem

Consider an Ising model of just two elementary dipoles, whose mutual interaction energy is ±ϵ\pm\epsilon. Enumerate the states of this system and write down their Boltzmann factors. Calculate the partition function. Find the probabilities of finding the dipoles parallel and antiparallel, and plot these probabilities as a function of kT/ϵkT/\epsilon. Also calculate and plot the average energy of the system. At what temperatures are you more likely to find both dipoles pointing up than to find one up and one down?

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