Statistical Dynamics: A Stochastic Approach To Nonequilibrium Thermodynamics

This work answers the question of how dynamical systems may be constructed obeying the first and second laws of thermodynamics. It answers the question first for classical probability and then quantum probability.

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How to construct dynamical systems obeying the first and second laws of thermodynamics: mean energy is conserved, and entropy increases with time? The book answers this 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 molecules. When applied to chemical reactions, the theory leads to a nonlinear reaction — diffusion equations exhibiting oscillations or convergence to equilibrium.