Jenny Harrison

The multiplicity function for a two state paramagnet, W(n,N), is the number of spin states such that n of the N spins point in the z-direction. This function is given by the combinatoric function C(N,n). That is:

$W(n,N)=(\genfrac{}{}{0ex}{}{N}{n})=\frac{N!}{n!(N-n)!}$

It is primarily used in introductory statistical mechanics and thermodynamics textbooks to explain the microscopic definition of entropy to students. If the spins are non-interacting, then the multiplicity function counts the number of states which have the same energy in an external magnetic field. By definition, the entropy S is then given by the natural logarithm of this number:

$S=k\ln W$ Where k is the Boltzmann constant