Abstract
It is conventional to try to arrive at the Boltzmann principle and the Second Law starting with the laws of dynamics at the microscopic level. In this article the opposite view is presented: Starting with the Second Law, microscopic properties are derived. A classical result of Wien is developed into a general theorem, and the possibility of deriving the Boltzmann principle as a consequence of Carnot's theorem is discussed.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
F. Dyson,Origins of Life (Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 1985).
R. P. Feynman, R. B. Leighton, and M. Sands,The Feynman Lectures on Physics (Addison-Wesley, Reading, Massachusetts, 1965), Vol. 1, Chap. 46.
M. Planck,Theory of Heat Radiation (Blakiston's Son & Co., Philadelphia, 1914).
H. B. Callen and T. A. Welton,Phys. Rev. 83, 34 (1951).
H. Bhabha,Proc. R. Soc. London A 172, 384 (1939).
D. ter Harr (ed.),Old Quantum Theory (Pergamon Press, New York, 1967), p. 170.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Kondepudi, D.K. Microscopic aspects implied by the Second Law. Found Phys 17, 713–722 (1987). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01889544
Received:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01889544