Author : Giovanni Gallavotti

Title:: Ergodicity: a historical perspective. Equilibrium and Nonequilibrium

Abstract: A view on the physical meaning of the so called ergodic hypothesis: its role on the foundations of equilibrium statistical mechanics in mid '800, its interpretations and hints at its relevance for modern nonequilibrium statistical mechanics. Followed by appendices with detailed comments on the original papers.

Keywords: Ergodic Hypothesis, Thermodynamic Analogies, Chaotic Hypothesis, Boltzmann

Giovanni Gallavotti
INFN Fisica, Rutgers University e Accademia dei Lincei
Universita di Roma Sapienza, 00185 Roma, Italy
giovanni.gallavotti@roma1.infn.it