Friday, 26 June 2020

statistical mechanics - Applying the Maxwell–Boltzmann statistics to astrophysical objects


Quoting Wikipedia:



In statistical mechanics, Maxwell–Boltzmann statistics describes the statistical distribution of material particles over various energy states in thermal equilibrium, when the temperature is high enough and density is low enough to render quantum effects negligible.






  1. Is it possible to apply Maxwell–Boltzmann statistics to objects as large as nebulae; globular clusters or galaxies, that is, treating stars as Maxwell-Boltzmann particles; or even the universe as as whole, treating galaxies or clusters of galaxies as Maxwell-Boltzmann particles?




  2. Can the Universe be considered in thermal equilibrium? Or does an expanding Universe imply non-equilibrium?






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