Microcanonical ensemble study of a classical fluid of hard rods under gravity

Abstract

The study of a system of hard rods in a box of finite length in the presence of a uniform gravitational field is made by means of the microcanonical ensemble. Explicit expressions are derived for the phase volume and the density of states, the primary functions of this ensemble. Related statistical quantities are reported, such as the entropy, the temperature, the heat capacity and the forces exerted on the fluid by the bottom and top walls. The microcanonical number density and higher order molecular distribution functions are also derived.