Irreversibility and nonrecurrence

Journal Article · Sat Mar 01 04:00:00 EST 1986 · J. Stat. Phys.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01010465· OSTI ID:6910796

Keller, J B; Bonilla, L L

Zermelo and Loschmidt pointed out that the equations of classical mechanics are recurrent and reversible, while those of macroscopic physics are nonrecurrent and irreversible. These observations cast doubt on the possibility of deriving the macroscopic equations from classical mechanics. Therefore an example is presented to show that nonrecurrent equations can be derived from recurrent ones. Another example is presented to show that irreversible equations can be derived from reversible ones. The irreversible equation derived in the second example describes either decaying, growing or undamped motions, depending upon the initial conditions. Thus the specification of initial conditions introduces the irreversibility. These demonstrations may help to clarify some previous resolutions of the recurrence and reversibility paradoxes.

• Research Organization: Stanford Univ., Stanford, CA
• OSTI ID: 6910796
• Journal Information: J. Stat. Phys.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Stat. Phys.; (United States) Vol. 42:5-6; ISSN JSTPB
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

657002* -- Theoretical & Mathematical Physics-- Classical & Quantum Mechanics
71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS
GENERAL PHYSICS
CLASSICAL MECHANICS
DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS
DIFFUSION
EQUATIONS
EQUATIONS OF MOTION
FLUCTUATIONS
HARMONIC OSCILLATOR MODELS
IRREVERSIBLE PROCESSES
LANGEVIN EQUATION
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
MATHEMATICAL OPERATORS
MATHEMATICAL SPACE
MECHANICS
PARTIAL DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS
PARTICLE MODELS
PROJECTION OPERATORS
QUANTUM MECHANICS
RIEMANN SPACE
SELF-DIFFUSION
SPACE
SYMMETRY BREAKING
VARIATIONS