Elementary statistical mechanics of a relativistic gas in thermal equilibrium. II

Abstract

For pt.I see ibid., vol.7, p.2130 (1974). Elementary methods of relativistic statistical mechanics developed in the previous paper are applied to the particular case of a relativistic gas with constant particle number. They are compared with an earlier approach and are shown to be inequivalent and superior to it. A third approach, based on a radical re-appraisal of the principles underlying the earlier one, is introduced. The two new schemes are examined, and the difficulties inherent in each are considered.