Question:medium

Degree of degeneracy will be large when:

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Degeneracy in this context means "quantum-ness." Quantum effects dominate when particles are cold (slow-moving, large de Broglie wavelength) and crowded (small inter-particle spacing).
Updated On: Feb 10, 2026
  • temperature is high, particle density is large
  • temperature is high, particle density is small
  • temperature is low, particle density is small
  • temperature is low, particle density is large
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The Correct Option is D

Solution and Explanation

A quantum gas exhibits degeneracy when quantum phenomena, such as the Pauli exclusion principle for fermions or Bose-Einstein condensation for bosons, become significant. This condition arises when the thermal de Broglie wavelength of the particles approaches or exceeds the average distance between them.The thermal de Broglie wavelength is defined as \(\lambda_{th} = \frac{h}{\sqrt{2\pi m k_B T}}\), and it increases as the temperature \(T\) decreases.The average inter-particle separation is inversely related to the particle density \(n = N/V\), meaning it decreases as the particle density \(n\) increases.Consequently, a system becomes degenerate (indicating a high degree of degeneracy) under conditions of low temperature and high particle density. This forces fermions into higher energy states or bosons into the ground state, both of which are characteristic quantum behaviors.
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