H-theorem H-theorem

H-theorem - Definition and Overview

In thermodynamics, the H-theorem describes the increase of entropy of an ideal gas in an irreversible process, solving the Boltzmann equation.

The quantity H is defined as the integral over velocity space :

<math>H \equiv \int { P ({ln P}) d^3 v} = \left\langle { ln P } \right\rangle<math>

where P(r) is the probability. Using the Boltmann equation one can proved that H can only decrease.

Therefore, the generalized entropy is defined as

<math>S \equiv - { H \over k}<math>

where S always increases.

This theorem is based on Boltzmann's assumption of "molecular chaos" which breaks time reversal symmetry and therefore "begs the question".

The final resolution of the time reversibility paradox - Loschmidt's paradox - is found in the Fluctuation Theorem.

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