Active Learning Approach for an Intuitive Understanding of the Boltzmann Distribution by Basic Computer Simulations

Autor/inn/en	Jameson, Greg; Brüschweiler, Rafael
Titel	Active Learning Approach for an Intuitive Understanding of the Boltzmann Distribution by Basic Computer Simulations
Quelle	In: Journal of Chemical Education, 97 (2020) 10, S.3910-3913 (4 Seiten)Infoseite zur Zeitschrift PDF als Volltext Verfügbarkeit
Zusatzinformation	ORCID (Brüschweiler, Rafael)
Sprache	englisch
Dokumenttyp	gedruckt; online; Zeitschriftenaufsatz
ISSN	0021-9584
Schlagwörter	Computer Simulation; Science Instruction; Thermodynamics; Statistics; Calculus; Teaching Methods; Computer Software; Active Learning; Scientific Concepts; Graduate Students; Undergraduate Students; Chemistry; Computer Assisted Instruction + Suchen Sie Ihr Suchwort? Computergrafik; Computersimulation; Teaching of science; Science education; Natural sciences Lessons; Naturwissenschaftlicher Unterricht; Thermodynamik; Statistik; Analysis; Differenzialrechnung; Infinitesimalrechnung; Integralrechnung; Teaching method; Lehrmethode; Unterrichtsmethode; Aktives Lernen; Graduate Study; Student; Students; Aufbaustudium; Graduiertenstudium; Hauptstudium; Studentin; Chemie; Computer based training; Computerunterstützter Unterricht
Abstract	The Boltzmann distribution lies at the heart of essentially all of statistical thermodynamics. In most textbooks, this distribution is introduced either "ad hoc" or it is mathematically derived by constrained entropy optimization using the method of Lagrange multipliers. Unfortunately, when students enroll in a statistical thermodynamics course, many are not familiar with this method from their prerequisite calculus courses. The recent availability of powerful computational devices for essentially all students provides an alternative way to explore the origin of qualitative and quantitative aspects of the Boltzmann distribution. Here we demonstrate a straightforward simulation approach to obtain an intuitive understanding of this distribution. We also make available concise and easily understandable computer programs in MATLAB and Python, providing an opportunity for an active learning experience of this fundamental law. (As Provided).
Anmerkungen	Division of Chemical Education, Inc. and ACS Publications Division of the American Chemical Society. 1155 Sixteenth Street NW, Washington, DC 20036. Tel: 800-227-5558; Tel: 202-872-4600; e-mail: eic@jce.acs.org; Web site: http://pubs.acs.org/jchemeduc
Erfasst von	ERIC (Education Resources Information Center), Washington, DC
Update	2024/1/01