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Sergio B. Volchan

Publications and source records attributed to Sergio B. Volchan.

3 recordsLinked to original sources

Some insights from total collapse

We discuss the Sundman-Weierstrass theorem of total collapse in its historical context. This remarkable and relatively simple result, a type of stability criterion, is at the crossroads of some interesting developments in the gravitation Newtonian N-body problem. We use it as motivation to explore the connections to such important concepts as integrability, singularities and tyipicality in order to gain some insight on the transition from a predominantly quantitative to a novel qualitative approach to dynamical problems that took place at the end of the 19th century.

physics.hist-ph

Probability as typicality

The concept of typicality refers to properties holding for the "overwhelming majority" of cases and is a fundamental idea of the qualitative approach to dynamical problems. We argue that measure-theoretical typicality would be the adequate viewpoint of the role of probability in classical statistical mechanics, particularly in understanding the micro to macroscopic change of levels of description.

physics.hist-ph

The Fundamental Concepts of Classical Equilibrium Statistical Mechanics

A critical examination of some basic conceptual issues in classical statistical mechanics is attempted, with a view to understanding the origins, structure and statuts of that discipline. Due attention is given to the interplay between physical and mathematical aspects, particularly regarding the role of probability theory. The focus is on the equilibrium case, which is currently better understood, serving also as a prelude for a further discussion of non-equilibrium statistical mechanics.

cond-mat.stat-mech