What is Statistical mechanics: Definition and 383 Discussions

In physics, statistical mechanics is a mathematical framework that applies statistical methods and probability theory to large assemblies of microscopic entities. It does not assume or postulate any natural laws, but explains the macroscopic behavior of nature from the behavior of such ensembles.
Statistical mechanics arose out of the development of classical thermodynamics, a field for which it was successful in explaining macroscopic physical properties such as temperature, pressure, heat capacity, in terms of microscopic parameters that fluctuate about average values, characterized by probability distributions. This established the field of statistical thermodynamics and statistical physics.
The founding of the field of statistical mechanics is generally credited to Austrian physicist Ludwig Boltzmann, who developed the fundamental interpretation of entropy in terms of a collection of microstates, to Scottish physicist James Clerk Maxwell, who developed models of probability distribution of such states, and to American Josiah Willard Gibbs, who coined the name of the field in 1884.
While classical thermodynamics is primarily concerned with thermodynamic equilibrium, statistical mechanics has been applied in non-equilibrium statistical mechanics to the issues of microscopically modeling the speed of irreversible processes that are driven by imbalances. Examples of such processes include chemical reactions or flows of particles and heat. The fluctuation–dissipation theorem is the basic knowledge obtained from applying non-equilibrium statistical mechanics to study the simplest non-equilibrium situation of a steady state current flow in a system of many particles.

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  1. N

    Other Which Springer books to buy? (QM, GR and statistical mechanics)

    Hello, Springer books are on sale this week so I wanted to buy some textbooks to support my studies and (eventual) future career. I'm an undergrad (in europe) and my courses next year will be QM, GR and statistical mechanics, so I was looking for books about these topics, but any suggestion on...
  2. P

    Calculate the molar Entropy of H2O

    Hi everyone! It's about the following task: Calculate the molar entropy of H2O(g) at 25°C and 1 bar. θrot = 40.1, 20.9K, 13.4K θvib=5360K, 5160K, 2290K g0,el = 1 Note for translational part: ln(x!) = x lnx - x Can you explain me how to calculate this problem?
  3. Heisenberg2001

    Maxwell-Boltzmann Distribution

    1. ##\vec{p}=m\vec{v}## ##H=\frac{\vec{p}^2}{2m}+V=\frac{1}{2}m\vec{v}^2## ##z=\frac{1}{(2\pi \hbar)^3}\int d^3\vec{q}d^3\vec{p}e^{-\beta H(\vec{p},\vec{q})}## ##z=\frac{Vm^3}{(2\pi \hbar)^3}\int d^3 \vec{v}e^{-\beta \frac{mv^2}{2}}## ##z=\frac{Vm^3}{(2\pi \frac{h}{2\pi})^3}\int d^3...
  4. Ebi Rogha

    Gas temperature in a constant volume

    An insulated container (constant volume, adiabatic) contains an Ideal gas with pressure P1 and temperature T1. We open the container's hatch for a few seconds and let some particles escape from the container, then we close the hatch again. We know container's pressure has reduced by exiting...
    • Ebi Rogha
    • Thread
    • Classic physics Constant Gas Statistical mechanics Statistical thermodynamics Temperature Temperature change Thermodaynamics Volume
    • Replies: 8
    • Forum: Introductory Physics Homework Help
  5. rogdal

    Deriving the kinetic energy flux in an effusion process

    I could not find any derivations in the litterature, except for the expected value of the energy flux expression itself: $$\overline{\Phi_{effusion,\epsilon}} = \overline{\dot{N_{ef}}}\overline{\epsilon_{ef}}=\frac{3Nl}{2A}\sqrt{\frac{(k_BT)^3}{2\pi m}}$$ I've started off by calculating the...
    • rogdal
    • Thread
    • Boltzmann distribution deriving Effusion Energy Flux Gas dynamics Kinetic Kinetic energy Process Statistical mechanics
    • Replies: 4
    • Forum: Advanced Physics Homework Help
  6. rogdal

    Gas in a box with Maxwell-Boltzmann distribution

    I have considered two scenarios: 1) A particle that has just collided with the wall at ##z=L## is moving with a velocity ##v_z<0## moving away from the wall. Hence, the probability that this particle has of colliding again is ##0##, so its distribution is also ##0##. 2) A particle moving with...
  7. A

    How much statistical mechanics is enough for a physicist?

    How much statistical mechanics do I need to know to study QFT, astrophysics, black hole thermodynamics, and other advanced topics? And where should I study it in your opinion? So far I have only read Tong's notes however I don't think it is enough. Some quantum statistical mechanics is also...
  8. C

    I Resources to learn about particles on a grid/mesh

    Hello. I am looking to learn about averaging out a particle gas or any other type of organization of particles within a system or volume that can be approximated onto a grid or mesh where the particles are at a constant distance from each other: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Particle_mesh. I...
    • Cup of Joe
    • Thread
    • Gas dynamics Lattice models Particles Quantum mechahnics Resources Statistical mechanics
    • Replies: 0
    • Forum: Mechanics
  9. G

    I Partition function of BaTiO3

    I have a cubic lattice, and I am trying to find the partition function and the expected value of the dipole moment. I represent the dipole moment as a unit vector pointing to one the 8 corners of the system. I know nothing about the average dipole moment , but I do know that the mean-field...
    • George444fg
    • Thread
    • Function Partition Partition function Statistical mechanics
    • Replies: 0
    • Forum: Thermodynamics
  10. LCSphysicist

    Statistical mechanics and problem with integrals

    So we have a system of N non interacting particles, on a d-dimensional space, the system is in contact with a bath of temperature T. The hamiltonian is $$H = \sum_{l = 1}^{N} (A_{l}|p_{l}|^{s}+B_{l}|q_{l}|^{s})$$. What is the avarage energy? Now, i have some problems with statistical...
  11. N

    A Derivation of Statistical Mechanics

    Moderator's note: Spin-off from previous thread due to topic change. Because it doesn't work. Bohmian time evolution doesn't involve the coarse graining steps that are used in his calculation. A delta distribution remains a delta distribution at all times and does not decay into ##|\Psi|^2##.
    • Nullstein
    • Thread
    • Derivation Mechanics Statistical Statistical mechanics
    • Replies: 78
    • Forum: Thermodynamics
  12. C

    Entropy of spin-1/2 Paramagnetic gas

    As we know, dipole can be only arranged either parallel or anti-parallel with respect to applied magnetic field ## \vec{H} ## if we are to use quantum mechanical description, then parallel magnetic dipoles will have energy ## \mu H ## and anti-parallel magnetic dipoles have energy ## -\mu H##...
  13. K

    I Probability in statistical mechanics

    Suppose we've an isolated box having ##N## classical distinguishable particles in it, the box being hypothetically divided into two parts, left and right with both parts identical. Its said that the probability of having the configuration of ##n## particles in the left side is given as...
    • Kashmir
    • Thread
    • Mechanics Probability Statistical Statistical mechanics
    • Replies: 23
    • Forum: Thermodynamics
  14. D

    I Steam flow rate in 2-chamber steam engine system

    Our system of interest has a duct on the left and a piston chamber on the right that make the shape of the letter T rotated 90º clockwise. The smaller tube on the left is abbreviated as P1 has an unspecified length while the piston chamber is P2. The air in P2 heats up and expands while the...
    • Denniskwantas
    • Thread
    • Engine Flow Flow rate Rate Statistical mechanics Steam Steam engine System Thermodynamics
    • Replies: 4
    • Forum: Mechanics
  15. raisins

    I Phase space integral question

    Hi all, Consider a system of ##N## noninteracting, identical electric point dipoles (dipole moment ##\vec{\mu}##) subjected to an external field ##\vec{E}=E\hat{z}##. The Lagrangian for this system is...
    • raisins
    • Thread
    • Classical mechanics Electric dipole Integral Lagragian Partition function Phase Phase space Space Statistical mechanics
    • Replies: 2
    • Forum: Classical Physics
  16. C

    A Effects of a spatially nonuniform diffusion parameter

    Einstein famously derived his relation between the diffusion constant of Brownian motion, particle mobility in a disippative medium, and temperature by considering Brownian motion in a harmonic oscillator potential. The result, $D = \mu k_BT$, is derived assuming that the mobility $\mu$ is...
  17. T

    I What are the biggest problems in the study of complex systems?

    What are the practical purposes of studying complex systems found in nature? And applying statistical methods to them etc.
  18. AndreasC

    I Exceptions to the postulate of equal a priori probabilities?

    Not sure if this is the appropriate forum for this, hopefully if it isn't someone can move it to a more appropriate place. The fundamental postulate of equal a priori probabilities in statistical physics asserts that all accessible microstates states in an ensemble happen with equal...
    • AndreasC
    • Thread
    • Probabilities Quantum statistical mechanics Statisical physics Statistical mechanics
    • Replies: 4
    • Forum: Quantum Physics
  19. S

    A All-atom simulation and coarse-grained simulations

    I am currently reading this [paper by Noid et. al.](https://doi.org/10.1063/1.2938860) on the rigorous bridge between atomistic and coarse-grained simulations. In the paper, he defined a linear map from the atomistic coordinates and momenta $$\mathbf{r}^n, \mathbf{p}^n$$ to the coarse-grained...
  20. P

    Understanding basic statistical mechanics formulas

    Firstly, I would like to check my understanding of the first formula: Using velocity distribution = f(v), speed distribution = fs(v): fs(v) = f(vx)f(vy)f(vz)dxdydz, since dxdydz = 4pi*v^2*dv, fs(v) = 4piv^2f(v) The second formula is the confusing one: What does it mean? What is the...
    • phantomvommand
    • Thread
    • Formulas Mechanics Statistical Statistical mechanics Thermodynamcics
    • Replies: 3
    • Forum: Mechanics
  21. M

    Energy landscape in the two state model (Boltzmann distribution)

    From an excel file I can get the probability of each energy state Εi and I saw at Wikipedia that the probability of each energy is proportional with e^−Εi/KT, from this I find the energy of every micro state. Also from the formula which I found on a paper I can get a curve like the curve...
  22. K

    Probability density in statistical Mechanics

    First of all, I've calculated the partition function: Z=1h3∫e−βH(q,p)d3pd3q=1h3∫e−β(p22m−12mrω2)d3prdrdθdz=2πL(2mπh2β)3/2e12βmω2R2−1ω2mβ The probability of being of one particle in radius $r_0$ is: p(r=r0)=1Z∫e−βHd3pd3q=∫1Z2πL(2mπh2β)3/2eβmrω22rdr So I've thought that because, by...
  23. A

    Does a statistical mechanics of classical fields exist?

    The usual presentation of classical statistical mechanics are based on the Liouville equation and phase space distribution. This, in turn, is based on the Hamiltonian mechanics of a system of point particles. Real undulatory systems, specially non-linear ones, have to be complex to study...
    • andresB
    • Thread
    • Classical Fields Mechanics Statistical Statistical mechanics
    • Replies: 2
    • Forum: Mechanics
  24. qnach

    A Partition function in number theory and statistical mechanics

    Is the partition function used in number theory and statistical mechanics the same thing?
    • qnach
    • Thread
    • Function Mechanics Number theory Partition Partition function Statistical Statistical mechanics Theory
    • Replies: 1
    • Forum: General Math
  25. tanaygupta2000

    Density of States in 2D

    For getting the density of states formula for photons, we simply multiply the density of states for atoms by 2 (due to two spins of photons). I am getting the 2D density of states formula as :- g(p)dp = 2πApdp/h^2 I think this is the formula for normal particles, and so for photons I need to...
  26. L

    Dispersion relation statistical mechanics

    I know that this is the general case of the Einstein and Debye Model.
  27. phun_physics

    I Derivation of Average Square Energy Fluctuation in a Canonical System

    The canonical ( Boltzmann) distribution law for a canonical system is described the probability of state ##v## by ##P_v = Q^{-1} e^{-\beta E_v} ## where ##Q^{-1}## is the normalization constant of ##\sum_v P_v = 1## and therefore ##Q = \sum_{v}e^{-\beta E_v}##. Chandler then derives ##...
  28. tanaygupta2000

    Statistical Mechanics: Two systems reaching an equilibrium temperature

    First I found partition functions of both the systems and hence total energies of them using above formulas. Z(A) = (1 - e-ε/kT)-1 and Z(B) = (1 + e-ε/kT) Then I equated these values to the given values of total energies. I got: For System A, T(A) = ε/kln(2) > 0 For System B, T(B) =...
  29. tanaygupta2000

    Statistical Mechanics Occupation number

    Upto now I've only dealt with the problems regarding non - degenerate energy states. Since bosons do not follow Pauli's Exclusion Principle, three bosons can be filled in two energy states (say E1 and E2) as: E1 E2 1 boson 2 bosons 2 bosons 1 boson 3 bosons 0 bosons 0 bosons 3...
  30. tanaygupta2000

    Statistical Mechanics: Four non-interacting particles are confined in a box

    Regarding the first part, I proceeded as: nx ny nz 4 0 0 => E1 = 16C 0 4 0 => E2 = 16C 0 0 4 => E3 = 16C 3 1 0 => E4 = 10C 3 0 1 => E5 = 10C 0 3 1 => E6 = 10C 1 3 0 => E7 = 10C 0 1 3 => E8 = 10C 1...
  31. S

    Taylor expansion of an Ising-like Hamiltonian

    For the case when ##B=0## I get: $$Z = \sum_{n_i = 0,1} e^{-\beta H(\{n_i\})} = \sum_{n_i = 0,1} e^{-\beta A \sum_i^N n_i} =\prod_i^N \sum_{n_i = 0,1} e^{-\beta A n_i} = [1+e^{-\beta A}]^N$$ For non-zero ##B## to first order the best I can get is: $$Z = \sum_{n_i = 0,1}...
  32. Saptarshi Sarkar

    Meaning of thermodynamic probability

    I was studying statistical mechanics when I came to know about the Boltzmann's entropy relation, ##S = k_B\ln Ω##. The book mentions ##Ω## as the 'thermodynamic probability'. But, even after reading, I can't understand what it means. I know that in a set of ##Ω_0## different accessible states...
  33. CptXray

    Ideal gas in a cylindrical container

    It looks more like a computational obstacle, but here we go. Plugging all of these to the partition function: $$Q = \frac{1}{N! h^{3N}} \int -\exp(\frac{1}{2m}(p^2_{r}+p^2_{\phi}/r^2+p^2_{z})+gz)d\Gamma=$$ $$= \frac{1}{N! h^{3N}} \int \exp{(\frac{-1}{2m}p^2_{r})}dp_{r_{1}}...dp_{r_{N}}...
  34. S

    Statistical mechanics problem

    First, i'd like to apologize for the vague title. Unfortunately my understanding of the question is equally vague. I think the dXd matrix is meant to be a covariance matrix, so the above equation would be some complex constant multiplied by the covariance matrix. The Tr would referring to the...
  35. Jamister

    Adiabatic process in statistical mechanics

    Why is a thermally isolated process that occurs sufficiently slow is necessarily adiabatic and not just reversible process ? Here I mean that the definition of adiabatic process is no change in the entropy of the subsystem, and a reversible process is define by no change of the total entropy of...
    • Jamister
    • Thread
    • Adiabatic Adiabatic process Mechanics Process Statistical Statistical mechanics
    • Replies: 6
    • Forum: Mechanics
  36. L

    A Non-equilibrium Statistical Mechanics of Liquids

    Molecular Transport equations for Liquids are harder to compute than that for gases, because intermolecular interactions are far more important in liquids. A System of equations for particle Distribution function and the correlation functions (BBGKY-Hierarchy) is used in General. For gases, it...
  37. DarMM

    Criticisms of Jaynes' approach to Statistical Mechanics

    In his well known paper “Information Theory and Statistical Mechanics” Jaynes attempted to formulated statistical mechanics as "nothing more" than the inference theory of many body mechanical systems. I am looking for critiques of this approach. Also of use would be summaries or reviews of the...
    • DarMM
    • Thread
    • Approach Mechanics Statistical Statistical mechanics
    • Replies: 3
    • Forum: Mechanics
  38. J

    A Liouville's theorem and time evolution of ensemble average

    With the Liouville's theorem $$\frac{{d\rho }}{{dt}} = \frac{{\partial \rho }}{{\partial t}} + \sum\limits_{a = 1}^{3N} {(\frac{{\partial \rho }}{{\partial {p_a}}}\frac{{d{p_a}}}{{dt}} + \frac{{\partial \rho }}{{\partial {q_a}}}\frac{{d{q_a}}}{{dt}})} = 0$$ when we calculate the time evolution...
    • Jeremy1986
    • Thread
    • Average Derivative calculus Ensemble Evolution Statistical mechanics Theorem Theoretical mechanics Time Time evolution
    • Replies: 2
    • Forum: Classical Physics
  39. A

    Classical Companion book to Huang's Statistical Mechanics

    My professor will be using Huang's Statistical Mechanics next semester and I have been reading a lot of polarizing reviews. Does anyone recommend a book to read parallel to Huang's to better understand the material and that discusses the same topics in similar fashion?
  40. hilbert2

    A Summation formula from statistical mechanics

    I ran into this kind of expression for a sum that appears in the theory of 1-dimensional Ising spin chains ##\displaystyle\sum\limits_{m=0}^{N-1}\frac{2(N-1)!}{(N-m-1)!m!}e^{-J(2m-N+1)/kT} = \frac{2e^{2J/kT-J(1-N)/kT}\left(e^{-2J/kT}(1+e^{2J/kT})\right)^N}{1+e^{2J/kT}}## where the ##k## is the...
    • hilbert2
    • Thread
    • Formula Mathematical induction Mechanics Statistical Statistical mechanics Summation
    • Replies: 4
    • Forum: General Math
  41. A

    Modern uses of classical statistical mechanics?

    Most of the cases when I see applications of statistical mechanics is when Fermi-Dirac or Bose-Einstein statistic are used in condensed matter or the equilibrium equation of neutron stars. Besides the Poisson-Boltzmann equation, I would like to know what are the modern...
    • andresB
    • Thread
    • Classical Mechanics Statistical Statistical mechanics
    • Replies: 4
    • Forum: Mechanics
  42. I

    I Most probable macrostate

    ## \Omega(E_1)## is the number of microstates accessible to a system when it has an energy ##E_1## and ##\Omega(E_2)## is the number of microstates accessible to the system when it has an energy ##E_2##. I understand that each microstate has equal probability of being occupied, but could...
    • I_laff
    • Thread
    • microstates statistical mechanics thermal thermal physics
    • Replies: 4
    • Forum: Classical Physics
  43. S

    Average speed of molecules in a Fermi gas

    My first most obvious attempt was to use the relation ##<\epsilon> = \frac{3}{5}\epsilon_F## and the formula for kinetic energy, but this doesn't give the right answer and I'm frankly not sure why that's the case. My other idea was to use the Fermi statistic ##f(\epsilon)## which in this case...
    • Silicon-Based
    • Thread
    • Average Average speed Fermi Fermi gas Fermi-dirac distribution Fermi-dirac statistics Gas Molecules Quantum statistical mechanics Speed Statistical mechanics
    • Replies: 2
    • Forum: Advanced Physics Homework Help
  44. Clara Chung

    Work check and advice on a statistical mechanics problem

    b) Consider P_j(n) as a macrostate of the system, Bosons: P_1(1) = P_2(1) = 1/2*1/2=1/4 ,P_1(2)=P_2(2)=1/2*1/2=1/4 Fermions: P_1(1)=P_2(1)=1 (Pauli exclusion principle), P_1(2)=P_2(2)=0 Different species: P_1(1)=P_2(1) = 2*1/2*1/2=1/2 (because there are two microstates with corresponding to...
  45. Clara Chung

    Statistical mechanics problem of a book shelf

    Equations that might be helpful: Attempt: a) (N_max)!/(n!*(N_max-n)!) i.e. N_max C n b) Total Z = sum n=0 to N_max [(N_max C n) e^(buN)] = (1+e^(bu))^N_max Individual Z = 1+e^(bu*1) = (1+e^(bu)) so individual Z^N_max = total Z c) Now, I use Z to represent the total Z, By equation...
  46. Clara Chung

    Statistical mechanics problem about a paramagnet

    I don't know how to solve part c and d. Attempt: c) B_eff=B+e<M> Substitute T_c into the equation in part b, => (B_eff-B)/e = Nμ_B tanh(B_eff/(N*e*μ_B)) Then? Thank you.
  47. S

    Schools Best non-equilibrium groups?

    I realize the question is quite broad but what research groups working on statistical physics, stochastic processes, and complex systems are generally considered the best? Would like to know about Europe and America alike.
  48. CharlieCW

    One-dimensional polymer (Statistical Physics)

    Homework Statement Consider a polymer formed by connecting N disc-shaped molecules into a onedimensional chain. Each molecule can align either its long axis (of length ##l_1## and energy ##E_1##) or short axis (of length ##l_2## and energy ##E_2##). Suppose that the chain is subject to tension...
  49. F

    Kinetic theory of gases and velocity correlations

    I have been reading up on the kinetic theory of gases, and I'm unsure whether I have correctly understood why particle velocities become correlated after colliding. Is it because during the collision they exchange momentum and thus their velocities (and hence trajectories) are altered in a...
    • Frank Castle
    • Thread
    • Gases Kinetic Kinetic theory Particle collision Statistical mechanics Theory Velocity
    • Replies: 27
    • Forum: Mechanics
  50. F

    I Is something wrong with my understanding of Liouville's Theorem?

    One version of Liouville’s Theorem for non-dissipative classical systems, governed by a conserved Hamiltonian, is that the volume in phase space (position-momentum space) of an ensemble of such systems (the volume is the Lebesgue measure of the set of points where the ensemble’s density is...
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