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The results of the merge discussion can be found at Talk:statistical mechanics. Thanks:--Sadi Carnot 15:17, 2 August 2006 (UTC)[reply]

I'm not convinced. Can you define the difference bewtween the two topics in one or two sentences? --Pjacobi 13:18, 9 October 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Not at this moment, I'm not reading in these areas presently; but in a real simplified manner:

• Statistical mechanics – the study of gas phase systems, using probability theories, in physics.
• Statistical thermodynamics – study of gas phase systems, using probability theories, in thermodynamics.

They both have the same basic origin, i.e. Clausius, Maxwell, Boltzmann, and Gibbs, but have since developed their own agenda’s. Also, see: Perrot's A - Z Dictionary of Thermodynamics for more information, which states that "statistical thermodynamics" is sub-division of equilibrium thermodynamics; or you could by read a book on statistical thermodynamics, such as:

• Erwin, Schrodinger (1946). Statistical Thermodynamics. Dover Publications, Inc.. ISBN 0-486-66101-6.
• Nash, Leonard K. (1974). Elements of Statistical Thermodynamics, 2nd Ed.. Dover Publications, Inc.. ISBN 0-486-44978-5.

With a slight risk of restarting an old battle, I've posted some suggestions about a general merger of this topic at Wikipedia_talk:WikiProject_Physics#Statistical_physics_.2F_mechanics_.2F_thermodynamics. Djr32 (talk) 13:21, 22 November 2008 (UTC)[reply]

The following list gives a rough outline as to when the major branches of thermodynamics came into inception:

• Thermochemistry - 1780s
• Classical thermodynamics - 1824
• Phenomenological thermodynamics
• Statistical thermodynamics - c. 1870s
• Chemical thermodynamics - 1876
• Equilibrium thermodynamics
• Engineering thermodynamics
• Psychodynamics - c. 1920s
• Chemical engineering thermodynamics - c. 1940s
• Non-equilibrium thermodynamics - 1941
• Small systems thermodynamics - 1960s
• Biological thermodynamics - 1957
• Ecosystem thermodynamics - 1959
• Relativistic thermodynamics - 1965
• Quantum thermodynamics - 1968
• Molecular thermodynamics - 1969
• Thermoeconomics - c. 1970s
• Black hole thermodynamics - c. 1970s
• Geological thermodynamics - c. 1970s
• Biological evolution thermodynamics - 1978
• Geochemical thermodynamics - c. 1980s
• Atmospheric thermodynamics - c. 1980s
• Natural systems thermodynamics - 1990s
• Supramolecular thermodynamics - 1990s
• Earthquake thermodynamics - 2000
• Drug-receptor thermodynamics - 2001
• Pharmaceutical systems thermodynamics – 2002

I found this on User:HappyCamper's page and pasted it here. --Sadi Carnot 02:31, 21 November 2006 (UTC)[reply]

Statistical thermodynamics is another name for statistical mechanics, therefore there should be one article for the concept, not two.

(I realise that this was discussed 2 years ago at Talk:Statistical mechanics#Merge Statistical thermodynamics, but never seemed to go anywhere.) Djr32 (talk) 23:13, 3 December 2008 (UTC)[reply]

The way that merge was carried out made the article very unclear. See Talk:Statistical mechanics#Mechanics or thermodynamics?. Brian Jason Drake 05:04, 3 May 2009 (UTC)[reply]