Georgia Institute of Technology College of Sciences

Kinetic theory is the branch of mathematical physics that studies the motion of gas particles that undergo collisions. A central theme is the study of systems out of equilibrium and approach of equilibrium, especially in the context of Boltzmann's equation. In this talk I will present Mark Kac's stochastic N-particle model, briefly show its connection to Boltzmann's equation, and present known and new results about the rate of approach to equilibrium, and about a finite-reservoir realization of an ideal thermostat.