1946/03/01 by John G. Kirkwood · 2 citations
Physics and Astronomy · Decision Sciences · #stochastic dynamics and bifurcation #Advanced Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics #Probabilistic and Robust Engineering Design
paper · doi:10.1063/1.1724117
openalex publication_date 1946/03/01 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/03
Outlines are sketched for a general statistical mechanical theory of transport processes; e.g., diffusion, heat transfer, fluid flow, and response to time-dependent external force fields. In the case of gases the theory leads to the Maxwell-Boltzmann integro-differential equation of transport. In the case of liquids and solutions, it leads to a generalized theory of Brownian motion, in which the friction constant is explicitly related to the intermolecular forces acting in the system. Specific applications are postponed for treatment in later articles.