The Road to Maxwell's Demon: Conceptual Foundations of Statistical Mechanics

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Meir Hemmo (University of Haifa, Israel) Orly R. Shenker (Hebrew University of Jerusalem)

The Road to Maxwell's Demon

Conceptual Foundations of Statistical Mechanics

Meir Hemmo (University of Haifa, Israel), Orly R. Shenker (Hebrew University of Jerusalem)

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English

Cambridge University Press
20 September 2012

Mathematics & Sciences; Science: general issues; Philosophy of science; History of science; Statistical physics

Time asymmetric phenomena are successfully predicted by statistical mechanics. Yet the foundations of this theory are surprisingly shaky. Its explanation for the ease of mixing milk with coffee is incomplete, and even implies that un-mixing them should be just as easy. In this book the authors develop a new conceptual foundation for statistical mechanics that addresses this difficulty. Explaining the notions of macrostates, probability, measurement, memory, and the arrow of time in statistical mechanics, they reach the startling conclusion that Maxwell's Demon, the famous perpetuum mobile, is consistent with the fundamental physical laws. Mathematical treatments are avoided where possible, and instead the authors use novel diagrams to illustrate the text. This is a fascinating book for graduate students and researchers interested in the foundations and philosophy of physics.

By: Meir Hemmo (University of Haifa Israel), Orly R. Shenker (Hebrew University of Jerusalem)
Imprint: Cambridge University Press
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
Dimensions: Height: 235mm, Width: 155mm, Spine: 23mm
Weight: 630g
ISBN: 9781107019683
ISBN 10: 1107019680
Pages: 337
Publication Date: 20 September 2012
Audience: Professional and scholarly , Undergraduate
Format: Hardback
Publisher's Status: Active

Meir Hemmo is an Associate Professor in the Department of Philosophy, University of Haifa. He has written on various issues in the foundations of quantum mechanics and statistical mechanics. Orly Shenker is a Senior Lecturer for the Program in History and Philosophy of Science at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. She has written on the foundations of classical and quantum statistical mechanics and on the rationality of science.

Reviews for The Road to Maxwell's Demon: Conceptual Foundations of Statistical Mechanics

'The Road to Maxwell's Demon is an exceptionally clear and readable book, intended for readers without physics or philosophy backgrounds. It is also a highly original and important contribution to the foundations of physics. It goes against much of the received wisdom and offers novel solutions to many problems: among them, discussions of time asymmetry in classical mechanics, an empiricist alternative to typicality, a criticism of the role of ergodicity, the notion of a physical observer and the irrelevance of information theory to the foundations of statistical mechanics. Readers interested in the foundations of physics will welcome such a fresh outlook on these topics.' Amit Hagar, Metascience