SINAI'S BILLIARD AND BOLTZMANN'S ROULETTE:
INTRODUCING STATISTICAL PHYSICS
[Based on a lecture held at MPTL9 Sep-2004 Graz]
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First encounter with StatPhys: usually around the third term
Didactic problem:
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Classroom experiments not possible
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Therefore: Subject usually presented in a purely formal way
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The formalism refers to an abstract, high-dimensional phase space
Suggested solution:
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Replace classroom experiments by simulation
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Support formal arguments by visualization
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Use a bottom-up approach, made possible by chaos in small systems
Realization: web tutorial at
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Here are some highlights illustrating the approach:
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... with due apologies to the creators of Statistical Physics
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