statistical mechanics

noun

, Physics, Chemistry.

1. the science that deals with average properties of the molecules, atoms, or elementary particles in random motion in a system of many such particles and relates these properties to the thermodynamic and other macroscopic properties of the system.

statistical mechanics

noun

1. functioning as singular the study of the properties of physical systems as predicted by the statistical behaviour of their constituent particles

statistical mechanics

/ stə-tĭs′tĭ-kəl /

1. The branch of physics that applies statistical principles to the mechanical behavior of large numbers of small particles (such as molecules, atoms, or subatomic particles) in order to explain the overall properties of the matter composed of such particles. The kinetic theory of heat is an example of statistical mechanics; the laws of thermodynamics can all be explained using statistical mechanics. Both classical physics and quantum mechanics have been used in the development of statistical mechanical theories.
2. ◆ Bose-Einstein statistics explains the behavior of large numbers of bosons, which are particles that can simultaneously occupy the same quantum state (such as photons in a laser beam).
3. ◆ Fermi-Dirac statistics explains the behavior of large numbers of particles that obey the Pauli exclusion principle (such as electrons) and cannot simultaneously occupy the same quantum state.

Word History and Origins

Origin of statistical mechanics¹

First recorded in 1880–85

Example Sentences

Second, they used statistical mechanics to mathematically predict the behavior of the puffs, using techniques from phase transition physics.

From Science Daily

So, instead of AI, the duo needed a different approach: statistical mechanics, a branch of physical theory.

From Science Daily

Conformal field theory acts as a bridge between different fields of physics: the underlying math is used in string theory, condensed matter physics and quantum statistical mechanics.

From Scientific American

This was the state of the art in the mid-1800s, and it seemed to mesh perfectly with the laws of statistical mechanics.

From Literature

In the parlance of statistical mechanics, this is known as a scale-free correlation.

From New York Times