From Gas Physics to Statistical Mechanics

This book traces a pivotal path in the history of physics, from gas physics to the birth of statistical mechanics. It begins with foundational studies by Torricelli, Pascal, and Boyle, then moves to atomic theory and the periodic table. A key focus is the 18th-century development of analytical mechanics, from Newton’s Principia (1687) to Lagrange’s Mécanique Analytique (1788). During this period, figures like Leibniz, the Bernoullis, Euler, d'Alembert, and Laplace helped refine the mathematical language of physics. The book then explores the principle of energy conservation, following the debate on vis viva to Helmholtz’s unifying work. It also examines the establishment of the second law of thermodynamics, from early heat engine studies to the breakthroughs of Carnot and Clausius. The final section delves into the origins of statistical mechanics, beginning with Bernoulli’s kinetic theory of gases, progressing through Clausius and Maxwell, and culminating in Boltzmann’s transition to statistical mechanics, later refined by Gibbs. A key feature of this volume is its use of primary sources, offering diverse perspectives on the works of these pioneers. It integrates extensive secondary literature, combining established studies with contemporary scholarship to provide a thorough historical account.