An Introduction to Thermal Physics · Problem B.12

Systems of Interacting Particles — Daniel Schroeder

Physics — Statistical Mechanics · stirlings-approximation-computer

Problem

Use a computer to plot the function xne−xx^n e^{-x}, and the Gaussian approximation to this function, for n=10n = 10, 20, and 50. Notice how the relative width of the peak (compared to nn) decreases as nn increases, and how the Gaussian approximation becomes more accurate as nn increases. If your computer software permits it, try looking at even higher values of nn.

Related theory

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