Difference between revisions of "Fluctuation theorem"
Jump to navigation
Jump to search
(username removed) m (Categorise) |
m (Changed category to statistical mechanics) |
||
| (One intermediate revision by one other user not shown) | |||
| Line 3: | Line 3: | ||
The [[second law of thermodynamics]] predicts that such entropy should increase until equilibrium. But under the theory of statistical mechanics there would always be a nonzero probability that the entropy of an isolated system will spontaneously decrease. The fluctuation theorem precisely quantifies such probability under the theory of statistical mechanics. | The [[second law of thermodynamics]] predicts that such entropy should increase until equilibrium. But under the theory of statistical mechanics there would always be a nonzero probability that the entropy of an isolated system will spontaneously decrease. The fluctuation theorem precisely quantifies such probability under the theory of statistical mechanics. | ||
| − | [[Category: | + | [[Category:Statistical Mechanics]] |
[[Category:Thermodynamics]] | [[Category:Thermodynamics]] | ||
| − | [[Category:Second | + | [[Category:Second Law of Thermodynamics]] |
Latest revision as of 17:14, April 7, 2017
The fluctuation theorem addresses the probability under statistical mechanics that the entropy of a system not at thermodynamic equilibrium (maximum entropy) will increase or decrease over a period of time.
The second law of thermodynamics predicts that such entropy should increase until equilibrium. But under the theory of statistical mechanics there would always be a nonzero probability that the entropy of an isolated system will spontaneously decrease. The fluctuation theorem precisely quantifies such probability under the theory of statistical mechanics.