The Boltzmann distribution is a statistical distribution that describes the distribution of particles among different energy states in a system at thermal equilibrium. It shows that particles are more likely to occupy lower energy states than higher ones, with the probability of occupying a state decreasing exponentially with increasing energy. This distribution is named after the physicist Ludwig Boltzmann, who contributed significantly to the field of statistical mechanics. The Boltzmann constant relates the average kinetic energy of particles in a gas to the temperature of the system, providing a bridge between microscopic properties and macroscopic observables.