How Ludwig Boltzmann founded Statistical Mechanics

Decoding Boltzmann’s landmark 1877 paper

Ludwig Boltzmann’s landmark 1877 paper, "On the Relationship between the Second Fundamental Theorem of the Mechanical Theory of Heat and Probability Calculations Regarding the Conditions for Thermal Equilibrium", revolutionized physics by proving that the Second Law of Thermodynamics is statistical rather than absolute.

Below, I demystify the physics of the paper and its significance for you.

Note: I’ve enclosed Boltzmann’s original phrasings in double quotes.