Enter the energy difference, temperature, and Boltzmann ratio into the calculator to determine the missing variable.

Boltzmann Ratio Calculator

Enter any 2 values to calculate the missing variable


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Boltzmann Ratio Formula

The following formula is used to calculate the Boltzmann ratio for a given energy difference and temperature.

N2/N1 = e^{(-ΔE / (kB * T))}

Variables:

  • N2/N1 is the Boltzmann ratio
  • ΔE is the energy difference in joules
  • kB is the Boltzmann constant (approximately 1.380649 × 10⁻²³ J/K)
  • T is the temperature in Kelvin

To calculate the Boltzmann ratio, divide the negative energy difference by the product of the Boltzmann constant and the temperature, then take the exponential of the result.

What is the Boltzmann Ratio?

The Boltzmann ratio, also known as the Boltzmann factor, is a statistical measure that describes the relative population of particles in different energy states at thermal equilibrium. It is derived from the principles of statistical mechanics and is used to predict the distribution of particles among various energy levels in a system. The ratio is given by the exponential function of the negative energy difference divided by the product of the Boltzmann constant and the temperature. This ratio is crucial in fields such as thermodynamics, quantum mechanics, and physical chemistry, as it helps in understanding the behavior of particles at different temperatures.

How to Calculate Boltzmann Ratio?

The following steps outline how to calculate the Boltzmann Ratio.


  1. First, determine the energy difference (ΔE) between the two states.
  2. Next, determine the temperature (T) of the system in Kelvin.
  3. Next, use the Boltzmann constant (kB) which is approximately 1.380649 × 10⁻²³ J/K.
  4. Finally, calculate the Boltzmann ratio using the formula N2/N1 = exp(-ΔE / (kB * T)).
  5. After inserting the values and calculating the result, check your answer with the calculator above.

Example Problem : 

Use the following variables as an example problem to test your knowledge.

Energy Difference (ΔE) = 2.5 × 10⁻²¹ J

Temperature (T) = 300 K

Calculate the Boltzmann Ratio (N2/N1).