Particle number
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| Conjugate variables of thermodynamics |
|
|---|---|
| Pressure | Volume |
| (Stress) | (Strain) |
| Temperature | Entropy |
| Chem. potential | Particle no. |
The particle number, N, is the number of so called 'elementary particles' (or elementary constituents) in a thermodynamical system. The particle number is a fundamental parameter in thermodynamics and it is conjugate to the chemical potential.
By calling a constituent element, we state that it cannot be broken into smaller pieces at the scale of energy k·T involved in the process. (where k is the Boltzmann constant and T is the temperature. Our definition of elementary particle is thus temperature dependent.
