Statistical dynamics: a stochastic approach to nonequilibrium thermodynamics

R. F. Streater9781860940026, 9781860944055, 1860940021, 9781860940040, 1860940048

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.