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1 results

  • 12 - Kinetic Theory and the Origin of Statistical Mechanics

  • from Case Study IV - Thermodynamics and Statistical Physics
  • Malcolm S. Longair, University of Cambridge
  • Book:
    Theoretical Concepts in Physics
    Published online:
    27 March 2020
    Print publication:
    16 April 2020, pp 288-324

  • Summary

    Following the discovery of the two laws of thermodynamics, theorists turned to the issue of finding an interpretation of the laws in terms of the atomic and molecular properties of the gases. Following Clausius's interpretation in terms of the kinetic theory of gases, Maxwell discovered the Maxwell velocity distribution and related it to Gaussian statistics. This marked the beginnings of statistical mechanics and the realisation that the law of increase of entropy has only a statistical validity. Out of these analysis Boltzmann and Gibbs created the discipline of statistical mechanics. The Gibbs entropy is also central to information theory.