With thermodynamics, systems are studied using macroscopic variables (pressure, temperature, volume, etc.) which do not need a mechanical explanation, which is what statistical mechanics deals with. So I wonder if it is possible to do thermodynamics without atomic theory (as positivists like Mach would have done. To follow this program it would be necessary first of all to do chemistry without atomic theory. So is it possible to do chemistry entirely with equivalents? I tried. The concept of equivalent is complex, but a definition can be given for each type of reaction. Despite this, however, I was not able to completely eliminate the mole. for example the mole (or the number of molecules) already takes place in the equation of state of ideal gases. In addition, the first equation of state for real gases is that of Van der Waals. It was obtained with molecular hypotheses. However, it is true that the equation of state for real gases can be obtained with a series development of the gas compression factor. But only statistical mechanics tells me if this series is convergent. In addition I am not sure if we can eliminate the concept of atom, molecule and subatomic particles (electrons):

1. in chemical thermodynamic systems that deals with the equilibrium of reactions,
2. in thermodynamic that deal with electric and magnetic systems (however, it is true that in this case electromagnetism uses continuous charge distributions)