The Logic of Thermostatistical Physics
By: by Gérard G. Emch, Chuang Liu
Contributors: Liu, Chuang
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published: 2002
Place of publication: Berlin, Heidelberg
Language: eng
Format: [electronic resource] /
Number of pages: 703
ISBN-13: 9783642074622; 9783662048863
Subjects: Mechanics; Thermodynamics; Mathematical physics; Physics
Description: This book deals with models and model-building in classical and quantum physics; it relies on logic and the philosophy of science as well as on modern mathematics. The reader will also find vistas into the history of ideas. The philosophical analysis is based on the separation of syntax and semantics which is at the root of Kolmogorov's theory of probability; recursive functions and algorithmic complexity are used to discuss entropy and randomness. Basic concepts are discussed together with concrete physical models for phase transitions, scaling, renormalization semigroups, and the irreversible approach to equilibrium. The book is intended for mathematicians, physicists and philosophers of science, both researchers and graduate students.
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Table of contents: title: From the contents: Theories and Models; title: Thermostatics; title: Kinetic Theory of Gases; title: Classical Probability; title: Modern Probability: Syntax and Models; title: Modern Probability: Competing Semantics; title: Setting-up the Ergodic Problem; title: Models and Ergodic Hierarchy; title: Ergodicity vs. Integrability; title: Gibbs Canonical Ensembles; title: Phase Transitions: van der Waals to Lenz; title: Ising and Related Models; title: Scaling and Renormalization; title: Quantum Models for Phase Transitions; title: Approach to Equilibrium in Quantum Mechanics; title: The Philosophical Horizon; title: Appendix A: Models in Mathematical Logic; title: Appendix B: The Calculus of Differentials; title: Appendix C: Recursive Functions; title: Appendix D: Topological Essences; title: Appendix E: Models vs. Models; title: References; title: Indexes.