Classical Statistical Mechanics

In this chapter we first discuss the kinetic theory of ideal gases and the Maxwell distribution of velocities at thermal equilibrium. Then we consider the more general Maxwell-Boltzmann distribution of non-interacting particles under the effect of an external trapping potential. Finally, we analyze the statistical ensembles of Gibbs, which are useful tools to connect the microscopic dynamics of interacting particles to the macroscopic behavior of a thermodynamical system.