Callen H.B - Thermodynamics And An Introduction To Thermostatistics · Problem 15.4-3

THE CANONICAL FORMALISM; STATISTICAL MECHANICS IN HELMHOLTZ REPRESENTATION

Physics — Statistical Mechanics · polymer-model-full-extension

Problem

A rubber band consisting of

n

polymer chains is stretched from zero length to its full extension (

L = \tilde{N}a

) at constant temperature

T

. Does the energy of the system increase or decrease? Calculate the work done on the system and the heat transfer to the system.