The table lists the most used ensembles in statistical physics together with frequently arising extensive (depend on the size of the systems such as the number of particles) and intensive variables (apply to all components of a system), in addition to associated potentials.
| Microcanonical | Canonical | Grand Canonical | Pressure canonical | |
| Exchange of heat | no | yes | yes | yes |
| with the environment | ||||
| Exchange of particles | no | no | yes | no |
| with the environemt | ||||
| Thermodynamical | \( V, \cal M, \cal D \) | \( V, \cal M, \cal D \) | \( V, \cal M, \cal D \) | \( P, \cal H, \cal E \) |
| parameters | \( E \) | \( T \) | \( T \) | \( T \) |
| \( N \) | \( N \) | \( \mu \) | \( N \) | |
| Potential | Entropy | Helmholtz | \( PV \) | Gibbs |
| \( N \) | \( N \) | \( \mu \) | \( N \) | |
| Energy | Internal | Internal | Internal | Enthalpy |
| \( N \) | \( N \) | \( \mu \) | \( N \) | |