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Demonstrating Extensivity in the Fairness Function

Keywords: Energy and Entropy, Thermo & Stat Mech, Extensive, Small Group Activity

eefairextens.jpg

Highlights of the activity

  1. This small group activity is designed to show students that the fairness function is extensive/additive.
  2. Students use what they know to prove that the fairness function is extensive/additive.
  3. The whole class discussion focuses on ensuring that students understand the steps required to prove that the fairness function is extensive/additive.

Reasons to spend class time on the activity

At this stage in their education, many students have little to no familiarity with the fairness function. This activity allows students to perform mathematical manipulations with the fairness function and also show that the fairness function is extensive. Having students show that the fairness function is extensive also helps relate a new and complicated function to properties that students have already seen in previous functions and variables.

Reflections

Instructor's Guide


Authors: Corinne Manogue
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