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MP: Theoretische und Mathematische Grundlagen der Physik

MP 1: Hauptvorträge I

MP 1.2: Invited Talk

Tuesday, March 8, 2005, 11:10–12:05, TU MA043

On the statistical mechanical foundations of thermodynamics — •Jürg Fröhlich — Theoretische Physik, ETH–Hönggerberg, CH–8093 Zürich

I will discuss mathematical results concerning some of the foundations of thermodynamics, in particular of the fundamental laws, in nonequilibrium (quantum) statistical mechanics. Adequate notions of entropy will be introduced; reversible and especially reversible isothermal processes will be discussed; and the 2nd law in the form of Clausius and of Carnot will be derived. Along the way we will encounter phenomena like "Return to Equilibrium", "Convergence to Nonequilibrium Stationary and Time-Periodic States", and "Entropy Production".