(A) Consider the following very simple model for gas expansion: The grids repres

Question

(A) Consider the following very simple model for gas expansion: The grids represent positions that the gas molecules (represented by circles) can occupy, while the vertical bar represents a movable barrier or piston through which the gas molecules cannot pass. In other words gas molecules on the left of the piston can occupy any of the grids on the left of the piston, but cannot pass to the right. Likewise, gas molecules on the right cannot pass to the left of the piston, but can occupy any grid points on the right.

Explanation / Answer

Equilibrium between the system on left and that on right means that avarage properties, like average energy, average number of hits to the piston will be same. But the system on the left and that of right has same number of particles, i.e. in equilibrium a symmetry or uniformity will prevail. That can only happen if the average position of the piston is in the middle or halfway. It will fluctuate around that position though.

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