The Origins Of Statistical Physics (1798-1860)

James Clark Maxwell firstly adopted methods of statistics to kinetic theory of gases in his reporter in 1859.Then,he introduced a thought that all laws of physics are statistic law.This thought had a tremendous impact on future generations,leading to the created of statistical physics,shaking up mechanical nature in philosophy,and prompting some scientists to rethink the fundamental laws that constructed our world.In fact,the created of statistical mechanics was not only due to outstanding talent,but also closely related to the scientific background of the time.Thermodynamics is closely related to the origin of statistical mechanics,and probability theory and mathematical statistics are also important knowledge bases for the origins of statistical mechanics.The study of the development of thermodynamics and the development of statistical thought will help to better understanding the origins of statistical mechanics.This thesis based on primary papers which published by those big scientists,some research about those scientists,and other works related to some issues.In addition,this thesis provides a brief description of the history of development of mathematical statistics,analyzes the changes in several concepts in the development of thermodynamics,and clarifies some long-standing misconceptions.The specific content is as follows.First,the history of the development of probability theory and mathematical statistics.As the main mathematical background of statistical mechanics,the development of probability theory and statistics is extremely important.It can be considered that based on the development of probability theory,statistical physics has mathematical tools.Second,analyze the changes in human understanding of the concept of nature of heat,especially how caloric theory transform to the motion,and how it was combined with the concept of energy.The analysis and discussion of these questions will help us think about the history of human understanding of natural things.The study reveals that the “relative characteristics” of Rumford's theory of heat have long been underrepresented in the academic community,and thus the significance of the theory has been misunderstood.Third,based on the establishment of the first and second laws of thermodynamics,analyze how the concepts of force,vis viva,work,energy,duty,and power are related,and how the formulation of the laws of thermodynamics is closely related to the thermodynamic establishment.It can be argued that workers in technical practice have made an indelible contribution to the development of thermodynamics.The discussion of energy is a typical example of “simultaneous discovery” and is a necessary element to reject the old concept of the nature of heat.Fourth,a summary of the development of kinetic theory of gases.Tracing Maxwell's great achievements and considering what conditions are required for the scientific community to accept a new idea.It is evident from these events that the standards by which the scientific community is judged have largely accompanied the changing perceptions of elite scientists.Finally,review the entire thesis and re-discuss some of the issues buried within it.From this,it can be found that the evaluation of historical figures is dispensable compared to the description of historical events.