Statistical thermodynamics

Statistical Thermodynamics is the study of thermodynamic principles from a statistical stand point. It shows why such principles as increasing entropy are such absolute principles. While it can be applied to macroscopic systems, Statistical Thermodynamics is mainly a study of Thermodynamics at the molecular level.

Molecules and Statistical Thermodynamics


Illustrating the basics of Statistical Thermodynamics is often done using just a few molecules. Above is an example of 6 molecules in a tank with a closed valve in to another tank.



When the valve is opened half of the molecules will move to the second tank. In this illustration, there are 64 possible arrangements of the molecules between the two tanks.



There are 2 possible arrangements with all six in the same tank. The probability of this occurring is 0.03125.



There are 20 possible arrangements with all 3 molecules are in one tank and 3 molecules in the other tank. The probability of this occurring is 0.3125. This is an increase in probability of a factor of 10.

When this concept is applied to a real world situation of many trillions of molecules, the difference in probability goes up as well. In fact, it turns out that the probability of getting nearly half of the molecules; in a real world situation; is so close to one as to make it a practical certainty.

When entropy is examined by Statistical Thermodynamics, it can be considered as a measure of randomness. The more random a system is, the more disordered it is. The formula for statistical entropy is:



S is entropy.

k is the Boltzmann Constant =

is the number of equivalent equally probable configurations. This is a direct measurement of disorder.

Random or disordered systems have such a significantly higher number of equivalent equally probable configurations, that they can basically be considered inevitable. Entropy is not the same as disorder, but entropy is logarithmically related to disorder. Entropy can be considered a measurement of disorder in the way that the Richter Scale is a measurement of earthquakes or decibels are a measurement of sound.

This shows that entropy naturally tends to increase because disordered states are considerably more probable than ordered state. Further more since complex organized systems have very few equivalent equally probable configurations, they are extremely improbable, in fact the statistical odds are so small (Probability << 10-100) that they statistically impossible.

This is why complex organized systems; such as life; can not arise by natural process. As a result no mater what just so story Evolutionists may invent to try to describe how it could happen, it simply can not happen.


 * Reference: J Philip Bromberg, Physical Chemistry, 1984, pg. 690
 * Reference: Statistical thermodynamics
 * Reference: Statistical thermodynamics
 * Reference: Statistical Mechanics

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