Foundation of statistical mechanics
The auxiliary hypotheses
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 4079943 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Orly Shenker (0000-0001-5716-6894, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, corresponding author) |
| Year | 2017 |
| Volume | 12 |
| Issue | 12 |
| Publication date | 2017-12-01 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Philosophy Compass (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 1747-9991 • E-ISSN: 1747-9991 |
| Publisher | Wiley (PUBLISHER • GB) |
| DOI | 10.1111/phc3.12464 |
| OpenAlex | W2767942071 |
| Language | EN |
| Citations received | 6 |
| References cited | 59 |
Statistical mechanics is the name of the ongoing attempt to explain and predict certain phenomena, above all those described by thermodynamics on the basis of the fundamental theories of physics, in particular mechanics (classical or quantum), together with certain auxiliary assumptions. In another paper in this journal, Foundations of statistical mechanics: Mechanics by itself, I have shown that some of the thermodynamic regularities, including the probabilistic ones, can be described in terms of mechanics by itself. But in order to prove those regularities, in particular the time asymmetric ones, it is necessary to add to mechanics assumptions of three kinds, all of which are under debate in contemporary literature. One kind of assumptions concerns measure and probability, and here, a major debate is around the notion of "typicality." A second assumption concerns initial conditions, and here, the debate is about the nature and status of the so-called past hypothesis. The third kind of assumptions concerns the dynamics, and here, the possibility and significance of "Maxwell's Demon" is the main topic of discussions. This article describes these assumptions and examines the justification for introducing them, emphasizing the contemporary debates around them
Analytical mechanics · Epistemology · Physics · Probabilistic logic · Quantum · Quantum mechanics · Quantum statistical mechanics · Statistical Mechanics · Statistical physics · Theoretical physics · Advanced Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics · Law · Mathematics · Philosophy · Quantum Mechanics and Applications · Statistical Mechanics and Entropy
Time's arrow & Archimedes' point
The Routledge Companion to Thought Experiments
Time and Chance
Physics and Chance
Two accounts of laws and time
Unified dynamics for microscopic and macroscopic systems
The Direction of Time
Every Thing Must Go
Exorcist Xiv
The “Past Hypothesis”
The Origins of Time-Asymmetry in Thermodynamics
Exorcist XIV
Statistical mechanics and thermodynamics
Justifying typicality measures of Boltzmannian statistical mechanics and dynamical systems
The quantitative content of statistical mechanics
Determinism and Chance
Boltzmann and Gibbs
Reconceptualising equilibrium in Boltzmannian statistical mechanics and characterising its existence
Bluff Your Way in the Second Law of Thermodynamics
The ergodic hierarchy, randomness and Hamiltonian chaos
The emergence of macroscopic regularity
Szilard's Perpetuum Mobile
Can Conditioning on the “Past Hypothesis” Militate Against the Reversibility Objections
Rethinking Boltzmannian Equilibrium
What Chains Does Liouville's Theorem Put on Maxwell's Demon
Boltzmann, Gibbs, and the Concept of Equilibrium
Albert Einstein
The Character of Physical Law
Measures, Explanations and the Past
Why Ergodic Theory Does Not Explain the Success of Equilibrium Statistical Mechanics
Foundation of statistical mechanics
| Unique citing works | 6 |
|---|---|
| Citations per year | 0,75 |
| Citation span | 2018 - 2025 (8) |
| Citation velocity | recent |
| Highly cited | No |
| Citation types | Neutral: 6 |