Atoms, Mechanics, and Probability - Ludwig Boltzmann's Statistico-Mechanical Writings - An Exegesis (Paperback)

One of the pillars of modern science, statistical mechanics, owes much to one man, the Austrian physicist Ludwig Boltzmann (1844-1906). As a result of his unusual working and writing styles, his enormous contribution remains little read and poorly understood. The purpose of this book is to make the Boltzmann corpus more accessible to physicists, philosophers, and historians, and so give it new life. The means are introductory biographical and historical materials, detailed and lucid summaries of every relevant publication, and a final chapter of critical synthesis. Special attention is given to Boltzmann's theoretical tool-box and to his patient construction of lofty formal systems even before their full conceptual import could be known. This constructive tendency largely accounts for his lengthy style, for the abundance of new constructions, for the relative vagueness of their object-and for the puzzlement of commentators. This book will help the reader cross the stylistic barrier and see how ingeniously Boltzmann combined atoms, mechanics, and probability to invent new bridges between the micro- and macro-worlds.

General

Imprint:	Oxford UniversityPress
Country of origin:	United Kingdom
Release date:	October 2021
Authors:	Olivier Darrigol (Research Director)
Dimensions:	239 x 167 x 29mm (L x W x T)
Format:	Paperback
Pages:	640
ISBN-13:	978-0-19-284471-2
Categories:	Books > Science & Mathematics > Science: general issues > Philosophy of science Books > Science & Mathematics > Science: general issues > History of science Books > Science & Mathematics > Physics > Atomic & molecular physics Books > Science & Mathematics > Physics > Thermodynamics & statistical physics > Statistical physics
LSN:	0-19-284471-7
Barcode:	9780192844712

Is the information for this product incomplete, wrong or inappropriate? Let us know about it.

Does this product have an incorrect or missing image? Send us a new image.

Is this product missing categories? Add more categories.

Review This Product

No reviews yet - be the first to create one!