Statistical Dynamics: A Stochastic Approach To Nonequilibrium Thermodynamics (2Nd Edition) - Softcover

Streater, R F

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1848162502 ISBN 13: 9781848162501

Publisher: Icp, 2009

Synopsis

How can one construct dynamical systems obeying the first and second laws of thermodynamics: mean energy is conserved and entropy increases with time? This book answers the question for classical probability (Part I) and quantum probability (Part II). A novel feature is the introduction of heat particles which supply thermal noise and represent the kinetic energy of the molecules. When applied to chemical reactions, the theory leads to the usual nonlinear reaction-diffusion equations as well as modifications of them. These can exhibit oscillations, or can converge to equilibrium.In this second edition, the text is simplified in parts and the bibliography has been expanded. The main difference is the addition of two new chapters; in the first, classical fluid dynamics is introduced. A lattice model is developed, which in the continuum limit gives us the Euler equations. The five Navier-Stokes equations are also presented, modified by a diffusion term in the continuity equation. The second addition is in the last chapter, which now includes estimation theory, both classical and quantum, using information geometry.

About this title

From the Publisher

Published by Imperial College Press and distributed by World Scientific Publishing Co.

Review

"Basic concepts, such as entropy, are thoroughly explained, with an emphasis on useful technical details ... minimal requirement on the mathematical preparation of the reader. This makes the book attractive for a wide range of physicists and mathematicians." EMS, 1999

Edition details

• Publisher: Icp
• Publication date: 2009
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1848162502
• ISBN 13: 9781848162501
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 2
• Number of pages: 392