Onsager and Debye models for pure polar fuids

Abstract In 1936, Lars Onsager obtained an equation that relates the dielectric constant of pure polar fluids to the permanent dipole moment of its constituent molecules, and also to the refractive index, the density and the temperature of the medium. In this paper, we guide the reader to find the Onsager equation, demanding from him or her, however, basic knowledge on electrostatic in matter and on classical statistical mechanics - particularly on the canonical ensemble -, both at an undergraduate level. Along the way - and this is our main interest in this work - we discuss modeling in physics. In an additional section, we discuss the Debye model as resulting from a mean field approximation applied to the Onsager model, and we show the Clausius-Mossotti model as a particular case of the Debye and Onsager models. Suggested use of this text: in the study or teaching of additional topics in undergraduate or graduate courses in classical electrodynamics, statistical mechanics, or physical chemistry.