In thermodynamics, statistical thermodynamics (or statistical mechanics or statistical physics) is the study of the average energy behaviors of large groups of individual particles. [1] Statistical thermodynamics can also be defined as the study of the random motion of molecules by means of statistical methods. [2]
Etymology
The term "statistical thermodynamics" doesn't seem to have come into use until the 1930s, loosely defined as statistical mechanics with more focus on thermodynamics.
Human physics
See main: Human physics
Many authors, in recent years, e.g. those in social physics, have used statistical thermodynamics, such as through the guise of a human particle logic, as a basis to argue or explain various bulk human system behaviors, such as distributions of wealth.
References
1. (a) Cengel, Yunus A. and Boles, Michael A. (2002). Thermodynamics - an Engineering Approach (4th ed.), (pg. 3). New York: McGraw-Hill.
(b) Schrodinger, Erwin. (1952). Statistical Thermodynamics (2nd ed.). New York: Dover (reprint).
2. Claesson, S. (1968). "Noble Prize in Chemistry Presentation Speech". Nobel Foundation.
Further reading
● Kuhn, Thomas S. (1987). Black-body Theory and Quantum Discontinuity (Section: Einstein on statistical thermodynamics, 1902-1903, pgs. 171-). University of Chicago Press.
