Canonical ensemble

The canonical ensemble is a concept in statistical mechanics that describes a system of particles in thermal equilibrium with a heat reservoir at a fixed temperature. It allows for the exchange of energy between the system and the reservoir while keeping the number of particles and volume constant. This framework helps us understand how microscopic states relate to macroscopic properties, like temperature and pressure, by using probabilities to describe the system's behavior. Essentially, it provides a way to analyze systems where energy can fluctuate, giving us insights into thermodynamic properties.