Experimental Test of Jarzynski Equality

This lecture discusses the Jarzynski Equality, a theoretical result that relates irreversible work to equilibrium free energy differences. The instructor presents experimental tests of this equality using RNA molecules, demonstrating the validity of the theory in far-from-equilibrium conditions. The lecture covers the Crooks Fluctuation Theorem, force-extension curves, and the verification of theoretical predictions through experimental measurements. Various statistical mechanical concepts are applied to solve experimental thermodynamic problems, providing insights into nonequilibrium processes. The presentation includes detailed analyses of work distributions, fluctuation theorems, and the application of thermodynamic principles to molecular manipulation experiments.