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Probability and Irreversibility in Modern Statistical Mechanics: Classical and Quantum

Wallace, David (2016) Probability and Irreversibility in Modern Statistical Mechanics: Classical and Quantum. [Preprint]

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Abstract

Through extended consideration of two wide classes of case studies - dilute gases and linear systems - I explore the ways in which assumptions of probability and irreversibility occur in contemporary statistical mechanics, where the latter is understood as primarily concerned with the derivation of quantitative higher-level equations of motion, and only derivatively with underpinning the equilibrium concept in thermodynamics. I argue that at least in this wide class of examples, (i) irreversibility is introduced through a reasonably well-defined initial-state condition which does not precisely map onto those in the extant philosophical literature; (ii) probability is explicitly required both in the foundations and in the predictions of the theory. I then consider the same examples, as well as the more general context, in the light of quantum mechanics, and demonstrate that while the analysis of irreversibility is largely unaffected by quantum considerations, the notion of statistical-mechanical probability is entirely reduced to quantum-mechanical probability.


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Item Type: Preprint
Creators:
CreatorsEmailORCID
Wallace, Daviddmw121@pitt.edu
Keywords: quantum mechanics statistical mechanics irreversibility non-equilibrium
Subjects: Specific Sciences > Physics > Quantum Mechanics
Specific Sciences > Physics > Statistical Mechanics/Thermodynamics
Depositing User: Professor David Wallace
Date Deposited: 25 Apr 2021 03:57
Last Modified: 25 Apr 2021 03:57
Item ID: 18946
Subjects: Specific Sciences > Physics > Quantum Mechanics
Specific Sciences > Physics > Statistical Mechanics/Thermodynamics
Date: July 2016
URI: https://philsci-archive.pitt.edu/id/eprint/18946

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