What is Statistical mechanics?
'''Statistical mechanics''' is the application of [[probability theory]], which includes [[Mathematics|mathematical]] tools for dealing with large populations, to the field of [[mechanics]], which is concerned with the motion of particles or objects when subjected to a force. It provides a framework for relating the microscopic properties of individual [[atom]]s and [[molecule]]s to the macroscopic or bulk properties of materials that can be observed in everyday life, therefore explaining [[thermodynamics]] as a natural result of statistics and mechanics (classical and [[Quantum mechanics|quantum]]) at the microscopic level. In particular, it can be used to calculate the thermodynamic properties of bulk materials from the [[spectroscopy|spectroscopic]] data of individual molecules. This ability to make macroscopic predictions based on microscopic properties is the main asset of statistical mechanics over [[thermodynamics]]. Both theories are governed by the [[second law of thermodynamics]] through the medium of [[entropy]]. However, [[entropy]] in [[thermodynamics]] can only be known empirically, whereas in statistical mechanics, it is a function of the distribution of the system on its micro-states. == References == * {{cite book | author=Chandler, David | title=Introduction to Modern Statistical Mechanics | url=https://archive.org/details/introductiontomo0000chan | publisher=Oxford University Press | year=1987 | isbn=0-19-504277-8 }} * {{cite book | author=Huang, Kerson | title=Statistical Mechanics | publisher=Wiley, John & Sons, Inc | year=1990 | isbn=0-471-81518-7 }} * {{cite book | author=Kroemer, Herbert; Kittel, Charles | title=Thermal Physics (2nd ed.) | url=https://archive.org/details/thermalphysics0000kitt | publisher=W. H. Freeman Company | year=1980 | isbn=0-7167-1088-9 }} * {{cite book | author=McQuarrie, Donald | title=Statistical Mechanics (2nd rev. ed.) | url=https://archive.org/details/statisticalmecha00mcqu_0 | publisher=University Science Books | year=2000 | isbn=1-891389-15-7 }} * {{cite