Statistical Mechanics · Problem 3.43

The Grand Canonical Ensemble — R. K. Pathria

Physics — Statistical Mechanics · bohr-van-leeuwen-theorem

Problem

Consider a system of charged particles (not dipoles), obeying classical mechanics and classical statistics. Show that the magnetic susceptibility of this system is identically zero (Bohr--van Leeuwen theorem). [Note that the Hamiltonian of this system in the presence of a magnetic field H (=∇×A)H\ (= \nabla \times A) will be a function of the quantities pj+(ej/c)A(rj)p_j + (e_j/c)A(r_j), and not of the pjp_j as such. One has now to show that the partition function of the system is independent of the applied field.]

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