Two coins,each with a Head and a Tail,are tossed randomly onto a table.The microstate is defined as the "number of Heads showing".The number of Heads can be,0,1,2.What value for the "number of Heads showing" has the greatest number of microstates?
A) 0
B) 1
C) 2

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

There are three possible outcomes when two coins are tossed: HH, HT, or TT.

- When both coins show Tails (TT), the number of Heads showing is 0. 
- When one of the coins shows Heads and the other shows Tails (HT or TH), the number of Heads showing is 1. 
- When both coins show Heads (HH), the number of Heads showing is 2.

We can calculate the number of microstates for each possible outcome:

- When 0 Heads are showing: There is only 1 microstate (TT).
- When 1 Head is showing: There are 2 microstates (HT or TH).
- When 2 Heads are showing: There is only 1 microstate (HH).

Therefore, the number of microstates is greatest when 1 Head is showing, and the best choice is B.

Two Coins,each with a Head and a Tail,are Tossed Randomly