The distribution of hard rods on a line of finite length

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
We obtain the grand potential and the associated distribution functions for a system of hard rods on a line of finite length. These functions are shown to be related to those of a semi-infinite system bounded by one hard wall. It follows that the contact values of the density and distribution functions at the walls of the finite system are related to those at the wall of the semi-infinite system, and that the force on the walls is the density at contact. We obtain also the density and distribution functions for a system with repeating boundary conditions, which are also expressible in terms of those of the finite and semi-infinite systems.