Question

What is a partition function Q a function of?

(a) Volume

(b) Temperature

(c) Temperature and volume

(d) Volume and mass

This question was addressed to me during an interview.

My question is taken from Boltzmann Distribution topic in portion Properties of High Temperature Gases of Aerodynamics

Answer 1

Correct option is (c) Temperature and volume

Best explanation: The partition function Q is also known as the state sum. It is defined by the formula:

Q = ∑jgje\(^{- \frac {ε_j^{‘}}{kT}}\)

This partition function has its use in statistical thermodynamics and is a function of both temperature and volume.