Statistical thermodynamics applies to large systems from "summary" of Thermodynamics and an Introduction to Thermostatistics by Herbert B. Callen
Statistical thermodynamics deals with the behavior of a system on the basis of the statistics of the motion of its individual particles. This approach is fundamentally different from the classical thermodynamics that deals with the macroscopic properties of a system. By analyzing the statistical behavior of a large number of particles, statistical thermodynamics aims to provide a microscopic understanding of thermodynamic phenomena. In statistical thermodynamics, the properties of a system are described in terms of the probabilities of different states that the system can occupy. This statistical description becomes increasingly accurate as the number of particles in the system increases. For large systems consisting of a vast number of particles, the statistical approach becomes highly reliable and provides a comprehensive understanding of the system's behavior. The statistical treatment of large systems allows us to make predictions about the macroscopic properties of the system based on the microscopic interactions of its individual components. By considering the collective behavior of a large number of particles, statistical thermodynamics can explain phenomena such as phase transitions, heat capacity, and equilibrium properties of systems. In contrast, for small systems with a limited number of particles, the statistical approach may not be as effective due to the fluctuations and uncertainties inherent in such systems. In these cases, classical thermodynamics, which deals with macroscopic properties, may be more suitable for describing the system's behavior.- Statistical thermodynamics is a powerful tool for studying the behavior of large systems by analyzing the statistical properties of their constituent particles. By considering the probabilities of different states and the interactions between particles, statistical thermodynamics provides a microscopic understanding of thermodynamic phenomena in large systems.
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