Monte Carlo Simulation : Introductory video

Before watching the video read the questions below. As you watch the video try to answer them

Questions

    • Explain why it is not possible to calculate the partition function exactly for many complex systems of interest?
    • Give a formula that allows one to calculate the value of an ensemble average
    • How is the ensemble average related to the expectation of a random variable
    • State the law of large numbers and define all the symbols in this expression
    • Explain how and why we can calculate ensemble averages approximately by generating multiple random variables
    • Explain the Markov property
    • Explain the ergodic property that some Markov chains possess
    • Explain in your own words why we can estimate an ensemble average by sampling from a Markov chain
    • Explain the metropolis sampling algorithm