Distributions of Functions of Dynamic Variables. Fluctuations of Internal Parameters

Abstract

This chapter ends that part of the book which deals with the statistical theory of the state of equilibrium. From the diverse material belonging to this domain of statistical physics we carefully select whatever is necessary for the construction of the theory of nonequilibrium processes in open systems. From time to time we will need some additional knowledge from the statistical theory of equilibrium state — for instance, when dealing with the quantum theory and the theory of phase transitions. Currently, however, we are going to treat two fundamental topics from the classical equilibrium theory.