Practice Problems 5

Thermodynamics & Statistical mechanics

1. A number is chosen at random between 0 and 1. What is the probability that exactly 5 of its first 10 decimal places
consist of digits less than 5 ?
2. A die is loaded so that even number occur 3 times as often as odd numbers
(a) If die is thrown N = 12 times, what is the probability that odd numbers occur 3 times ?. If die is thrown N = 120
times, what is the probability that odd numbers occur 30 times ?. (Use binomial distribution).
(b) Compute the same quantities as in part(a) using Gaussian distribution. Compare answers (a) and(b).
3. Consider a system consists of weakly interacting particle each of mass m and free to move in one dimension. Denote its
respective position co-ordinate of two particle by x1 and x2 , their respective momentum by p1 and p2 . The particles are
confined within a box with a walls located at x = 0 and x = L. The total energy of the system is known to lie between
E and E + E. Since it is difficult to a four dimensional phase , draw separately the part of phase space involving x1
and x2 and that involving p1 and p2 . Indicate the on these diagrams the region of space accessible to the system.
4. Consider a random walk on a one dimensional lattice where the probability of stepping to the right or to the left is 1/2.
Find the probability that after N steps the walker is at position x lattice units from the starting position. Show that
for large N the probability distribution is a Gaussian in x ?
5. Consider a spring mass system, with the mass submerged in water, as shown in figure. The phase diagram for one cycle
of this system is

6. The mean value of random variable x with probability density p(x) =

Answers:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5. Option B
6. /2

1 exp
2

i
(x2 + x)/(2 2 ) is