Statistical Mechanics
Theoretical basis for derivation of macroscopic behaviors from microscopic origins
Two fundamental postulates of equilibrium statistical mechanics
- microstates of equal energy are equally likely
- time average is equivalent to ensemble average
Formalism extends postulates to more useful situations
- thermal, mechanical, and/or chemical equilibrium with reservoirs
systems at constant T, P, and/or m
- yields new formulas for probabilities of microstates
derivation invokes thermodynamic limit of very large system
Macroscopic observables given as a weighted sum over microstates
- dynamic properties require additional formalism
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