Editing H-theorem (section)

== Impact ==

Although Boltzmann's ''H''-theorem turned out not to be the absolute proof of the second law of thermodynamics as originally claimed (see Criticisms below), the ''H''-theorem led Boltzmann in the last years of the 19th century to more and more probabilistic arguments about the nature of thermodynamics. The probabilistic view of thermodynamics culminated in 1902 with [[Josiah Willard Gibbs]]'s statistical mechanics for fully general systems (not just gases), and the introduction of generalized [[statistical ensemble (mathematical physics)|statistical ensemble]]s.

The kinetic equation and in particular Boltzmann's molecular chaos assumption inspired a whole family of [[Boltzmann equation]]s that are still used today to model the motions of particles, such as the electrons in a semiconductor. In many cases the molecular chaos assumption is highly accurate, and the ability to discard complex correlations between particles makes calculations much simpler.

The process of [[thermalisation]] can be described using the H-theorem or the [[relaxation theorem]].<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Reid|first1=James C.|last2=Evans|first2=Denis J.|last3=Searles|first3=Debra J.|date=2012-01-11|title=Communication: Beyond Boltzmann's H-theorem: Demonstration of the relaxation theorem for a non-monotonic approach to equilibrium|journal=The Journal of Chemical Physics|volume=136|issue=2|pages=021101|doi=10.1063/1.3675847|pmid=22260556|issn=0021-9606|url=http://espace.library.uq.edu.au/view/UQ:282860/UQ282860_OA.pdf|bibcode=2012JChPh.136b1101R|hdl=1885/16927|hdl-access=free}}</ref>