{{Conjugate variables (thermodynamics)}}
The '''particle number''', ''N'', is the number of so called 'elementary particles' (or elementary constituents) in a thermodynamical system. The particle number is a fundamental parameter in thermodynamics and it is conjugate to the Chemical_potential.
By calling a constituent element, we state that it cannot be broken into smaller pieces at the scale of Energy '''''k·T''''' involved in the process. (where ''k'' is the Boltzmann_constant and ''T'' is the Temperature. Our definition of elementary particle is thus Temperature dependent.
Category:Thermodynamics
Category:Physical_quantity