Introduction to the Equilibrium Behavior of Matter

In the introductory chapter we clearly distinguished between so-called global and local equilibrium states. As we know, in global equilibrium states there are no spatial or temporal variations in the system density, temperature, pressure, entropy, and the like. How are such states arrived at when we know that matter is composed of molecules in constant random or thermal motion with continuous intermolecu-lar interactions and dynamics Our goal in this chapter is to see how such states theoretically come about and to introduce formal, molecular-based definitions of temperature, pressure, entropy, and internal 

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