[03] Statistical Mechanics Flashcards
What does Statistical Mechanics study?
The average behavior of a large number of particles, and how macroscopic properties can be derived from microscopic laws
List the main topics of study in Statistical Mechanics
- Entropy
- Temperature
- The laws of thermodynamics
- Phase transitions
What is entropy in Statistical Mechanics?
It is a measure of the number of specific ways in which a system may be arranged, often taken to be a measure of disorder
What is temperature in Statistical Mechanics?
It is a measure of the average kinetic energy of the particles in a system
What are the laws of thermodynamics in Statistical Mechanics?
They are principles describing how energy and entropy behave in a thermodynamic system
What are phase transitions in Statistical Mechanics?
They are transformations from one state of matter (solid, liquid, gas, plasma) to another as a result of changes in temperature or pressure
What does Statistical Mechanics study?
The average behavior of a large number of particles, and how macroscopic properties can be derived from microscopic laws
