Partition function of 1-, 2-, and 3-D monatomic ideal gas: A simple and comprehensive review

TL;DR

This paper provides a simple and comprehensive review of the partition function for monatomic ideal gases in one, two, and three dimensions, aiming to improve understanding among students.

Contribution

It offers a clear, accessible explanation of the partition function across different dimensions, filling a gap in educational resources.

Findings

Clarifies the calculation of partition functions in various dimensions

Highlights common student misunderstandings

Provides a unified approach for teaching the topic

Abstract

This article discusses partition function of monatomic ideal gas which is given in Statistical Physisc at Physics Department, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Institut Teknologi Bandung, Indonesia. Students in general are not familiar with partition function. This unfamiliarness was detected at a problem of partition function which was re-given in an examination in other dimensions that had been previously given in the lecture. Based on this observation, the need of a simple but comprehensive article about partition function in one-, two-, and three-dimensions is a must. For simplicity, a monatomic ideal gas is chosen.