which differs by a small quantity of the second order from the minimum value which characterizes the state of statistical equilibrium. And the diminution in the average index resulting in the course of time from the very small change in the external coördinates, cannot exceed this small quantity of the second order.
Hence also, if the change in the external coördinates of an ensemble initially in statistical equilibrium consists in successive very small changes separated by very long intervals of time in which the disturbance of statistical equilibrium becomes sensibly effaced, the final diminution in the average index of probability will in general be negligible, although the total change in the external coördinates is large. The result will be the same if the change in the external coördinates takes place continuously but sufficiently slowly.
Even in cases in which there is no tendency toward the restoration of statistical equilibrium in the lapse of time, a variation of external coördinates which would cause, if it took place in a short time, a great disturbance of a previous state of equilibrium, may, if sufficiently distributed in time, produce no sensible disturbance of the statistical equilibrium.
Thus, in the case of three degrees of freedom, let the systems be heavy points suspended by elastic massless cords, and let the ensemble be distributed in phase with a density proportioned to some function of the energy, and therefore in statistical equilibrium. For a change in the external coördinates, we may take a horizontal motion of the point of suspension. If this is moved a given distance, the resulting disturbance of the statistical equilibrium may evidently be diminished indefinitely by diminishing the velocity of the point of suspension. This will be true if the law of elasticity of the string is such that the period of vibration is independent of the energy, in which case there is no tendency in the course of time toward a state of statistical equilibrium, as well as in the more general case, in which there is a tendency toward statistical equilibrium.
That something of this kind will be true in general, the following considerations will tend to show.
