Change in entropy in an isolated system

AI Thread Summary
The discussion focuses on deriving the equation for the change in entropy in an isolated system during an adiabatic expansion. Participants clarify that in such a system, the heat exchange (dQ) is zero, leading to the conclusion that the internal energy change (dU) equals the work done (dW). The relationship between pressure, volume, and temperature is explored, emphasizing that the temperature will change during the expansion despite the system being thermally isolated. The concept of microstates is also addressed, with the number of microstates for distinguishable particles being expressed as V^N. Overall, the conversation highlights the complexities involved in understanding entropy changes in isolated systems during adiabatic processes.
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Homework Statement



Derive an equation for the change in entropy that occurs in an isolated (micro-canonical) system containing N particles, if an adiabatic expansion from volume V1 to volume V1 takes place. Show that the number of microstates is given by V^N.

Homework Equations



Entropy S = K_{b} ln \Omega
Where \Omega is multiplicity, the number of microstates for distinguishable partciles= N!/\Pi_{i}n_{j}!

The Attempt at a Solution



Ok I'm not too sure where to start. I know that dQ = 0 as this is an adiabatic expansion.
Meaning dU = dW = - NK_{b}T ln (V2/V1), but I'm not sure if this helps anything.

I also know that a microcanonical system is thermally isolated and has a fixed N. So would thermally isolated mean dT = 0? in which case dU = 0 ... confused.

please help!
 
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thermally isolated, so Q=0, means all the Work goes into changing the Temperature.
How much Work is done during an adiabatic expansion? (as a function of Volumes)
 
Is my answer in my first post incorrect?

"I know that dQ = 0 as this is an adiabatic expansion.
Meaning dU = dW = - NKbT ln (V2/V1)"

as dU= dW = (integrating from V1 to V2) - pdV
where P = NKbT / V
 
Thermally isolated means no heat enters or leaves, thus the expansion will change the temperature.
 
Ok thanks, but I still don't understand how what to do for this question. :S
 
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