statistical mechanics
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James Clerk Maxwell’s path to the Gaussian distribution
If a great many equal spherical particles were in motion in a perfectly elastic vessel, collisions would take place among the particles, and their velocities would be altered at every collision; so that after a certain time the vis viva [kinetic energy] will be divided among the particles according to some regular law. – James… Continue reading
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Revisiting the kinetic theory of gases
My vision is to develop a ground-up understanding of thermodynamics based on connecting the micro-world of moving and interacting atoms to the macro-world of thermodynamic phenomena and the classical equations used to describe them. In the below post, which I previously shared, I delve into the originating micro-to-macro work of Clausius, Maxwell, and Boltzmann when… Continue reading
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Entropy – the known and the unknown
“I never understood entropy” – anonymous engineer Part IV of my book delves into the discovery and science of entropy. In this post, I explore what we know and question about entropy’s science, acknowledging my own unresolved inquiries. I’m open to learning, so if you have insights, references, or know someone who does, please share.… Continue reading
Block by Block – The Historical and Theoretical Foundations of Thermodynamics. “Hanlon has written a masterpiece.” – Mike Pauken, Senior Engineer, NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) and author of Thermodynamics for Dummies
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About Me
Hi! I’m Bob Hanlon. After earning my Sc.D. in chemical engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and enjoying a long career in both industry and academia, I’ve returned to school, my own self-guided school, seeking to better understand the world of thermodynamics. Please join me on my journey.
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