Statistical Mechanics Lecture 1

(April 1, 2013) Leonard Susskind introduces statistical mechanics as one of the most universal disciplines in modern physics. He begins with a brief review of probability theory, and then presents the concepts of entropy and conservation of information.

Originally presented in the Stanford Continuing Studies Program.

Stanford University:

Continuing Studies Program:

Stanford University Channel on YouTube:

[emmag]

"My life has consisted in learning and forgetting and learning and forgetting and learning and forgetting statistical mechanics". It incredibly lightens me to hear this from one of the greatest minds we had in history!

[BrandonMiller-ke]

I love the way Susskind talks about physics and even just talks in general. His background as a plumber I feel is a boon to the communication of physics; talking to people like they are a normal joe and a potential scientist. Everyone can have access to these ideas. And they can be simple and elegant.

[smajidy]

0:00:00 to 0:10:10 - Introduction to course
0:10:11 to 0:19:48 - Mathematics of probabilities
0:19:49 to 0:36:22 - Techniques for determining probabilities (Symmetries, experimental data or the systems laws of motion)
0:36:22 to 0:40:18 - Questions
0:40:19 to 0:54:25 - Liouville's theorem (Conversation of information)
0:54:26 to 0:58:18 - Simple definition of entropy
0:58:19 to 1:07:17 - Generalizing to continuous mechanics
1:07:18 to 1:12:55 - First law of thermodynamics
1:12:56 to 1:38:09 - Expanding the definition of entropy + examples
1:38:10 to 1:47:38 - Questions

[supernis]

this guy is just incredible
he's moving from calculus, probability, topology, classical mechanics, thermodynamics etc at will
using just words

[mwierdl]

I love the fact that, unlike most profs, he doesn't rush and he takes time to explain ideas.

[Nikifuj]

Why is Mike Ehrmantraut teaching statistical mechanics?

[anuraaggad]

Professor Leonard Susskind not just teaches these complex topics in a simple way, but he also motivates you.

[masoodkhan]

I think no one can teach Physics better than Sir Leonard Susskind. He is amazing. He is a gift from Almighty God to us. I am a big fan. and one day i would want to take physical classes with Leonard. i think its my dream and it will come true very soon.

[andrzejkawa]

few are able to explain with such a degree of clarity, thank you mr. Susskind

[jacobharris]

I love how he takes his time explaining the main ideas. I wish my physics professors did that but because of either a lack of time, teaching ability or both, the material is rushed to the point I can barely understand anything in class. We would be better served with longer lectures like this I think.

[ferce]

the wealth of free information in the internet is astounding

[zapatoak]

these lectures should be saved in a museum and protected for posterity. they are like a treasure of mankind

[StevieStormmm]

Just bought the classic text, The Principles of Statistical Mechanics by Tolman with so much excitement. And, it’s a hardback version from the 40’s! S. Chandrasekhar once recommended the text to his brother to study for physics. You can just sense that this is a master text. A subject that gives you the power to analyze mechanical systems when their initial states are known only partially ? Count me in.

[garekbushnell]

That casual definition of a conservation law as the possibility space dividing up into cycles went by so quickly it didn't blow my mind until I rewatched.

[karimkaan]

personally i think that people don t understand the quality of what they are consuming here. like" FOR FREE"
you should praise those teachers

[Aiden]

Thank you Dr. Susskind and Stanford for generously sharing this with the world.

[ENKI]

at 1:13:20 professor Susskind says that temperature is a highly derived quantity "despite the fact that you feel it with your body", so he points out the contradiction of how temperature feels intuitive despite being a more mathematically-derived concept with respect to more primitive concepts like energy.

the thing is, in fact, you don't feel temperature at all, you feel THE FLOW OF THERMAL ENERGY. if i'm not mistaken minutephysics has done a video about it too.

[luzzyrogue]

This is why the tution fees is extremely huge in comparison to my college I went. Nice lectures, challenging and optimistic preparing your brain to utilise the potential.

[magnuszetterberg]

I have seen the complete set of videos Statistical Mechanics by Susskind. I can highly recomend the book "Fundamentals of Statistical and Thermal Physics" by F.Reif. It is Briljiant together with Lennys vidoes.

[htfx]

1:30:20 "Two is the smallest number which is not one" I really like this statement.