In statistical mechanics, the statistical weight is the relative probability (possibly unnormalized) of a particular feature of a state. If the energy associated with the feature is ΔE, the statistical weight is given by the Boltzmann factor e-ΔE/kT, where k is the Boltzmann constant and T is the temperature in kelvin.
The statistical weight is a convenient shorthand that is often used in transfer matrix solutions of problems in statistical mechanics.
Famous quotes containing the word weight:
“as his weight wilts
and he is on a porch
that won’t hold my arms,
or the legs of the race run
forwards, or the film
played backwards on his grandson’s eyes.”
—Michael S. Harper (b. 1938)
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