THE STATISTICAL THERMODYNAMICS OF EQUILIBRIUM,

A statistical thermodynamics is developed in terms of extensive variables additive invariants distributed over a cellular division in space. In general, this distribution is governed by randomness and by correlations. The present theory, however, deals explicitly only with randomness, although correlations are implicit in the so-called fixed variables of the system. Because of this restriction, the theory is valid only for the fluctuations of coupled systems that have reached their equilibrium hence we call it the statistical thermodynamics of equilibrium, briefly STE. A set of postulates is advanced, the essence of which is the requirement that distribution functions df exist for two basic coupling situations. It is implicit that the system has a memory-loss mechanism and the df does not depend on past history ergodic property. Such qualitative assumptions are sufficient to derive the Gibbsian dfs in their quantitative form. These dfs describe the coupling of finite systems with infinite environments and can be used to analyze typical situations of measurement by the methods of mathematical statistics. The present point of view sheds some new light on the the ergodic problem and on the role of Nernsts law in completing the the definition of thermodynamic equilibrium. Author