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karnten07
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Homework Statement
The number of microstates of a system of N oscillators containing Q quanta of energy homework is given by
W(N,Q) = (N+Q-1)!/[(N-1)!Q!]
Show that when one further quantum is added to the system the number of microstates increases by a factor of approximately (1+N/Q), provided that N,Q>>1.
Homework Equations
The Attempt at a Solution
So W(N,Q+1) = (N+Q)!/[(N-1)!(Q+1)!]
My problem class leader showed us how to do the question but I am unsure of how he did it, so this is what he did:
W(N,Q+1)/W(N,Q)= [(N+Q)!(N-1)!Q!]/[(N-1)!(Q+1)!(N+Q-1)!]
= [(N+Q)!Q!]/[(Q+1)!(N+Q-1)!] by cancelling
= N+Q/Q+1 = 1+N/Q
I think he got to the last step by approxiamtion since N,Q>>1 but i don't see how that works. Also i don't know why there aren't factorial signs there, whether he or i forgot to write them in or whether they disappear for some reason.
Any explanations would be so helpful, thanks