A Course In Thermodynamics

The role of thermodynamics in modern physics is not just to provide an approximate treatment of large thermal systems, but, more importantly, to provide an organising set of ideas. Thermodynamics: A complete undergraduate course presents thermodynamics as a self-contained and elegant set of ideas and methods. It unfolds thermodynamics for undergraduate students of physics, chemistry or engineering, beginning at first year level. The book introduces the necessary mathematical methods, assuming almost no prior knowledge, and explains concepts such as entropy and free energy at length, with many examples. This book aims to convey the style and power of thermodynamic reasoning, along with applications such as Joule-Kelvin expansion, the gas turbine, magnetic cooling, solids at high pressure, chemical equilibrium, radiative heat exchange and global warming, to name a few. It mentions but does not pursue statistical mechanics, in order to keep the logic clear.

Research in the past thirty years on the foundations of thermodynamics has led not only to a better understanding of the early developments of the subject but also to formulations of the First and Second Laws that permit both a rigorous analysis of the consequences of these laws and a substantial broadening of the class of systems to which the laws can fruitfully be applied. Moreover, modem formulations of the laws of thermodynamics have now achieved logically parallel forms at a level accessible to under graduate students in science and engineering who have completed the standard calculus sequence and who wish to understand the role which mathematics can play in scientific inquiry. My goal in writing this book is to make some of the modem develop ments in thermodyamics available to readers with the background and orientation just mentioned and to present this material in the form of a text suitable for a one-semester junior-level course. Most of this presentation is taken from notes that I assembled while teaching such a course on two occasions. I found that, aside from a brief review of line integrals and exact differentials in two dimensions and a short discussion of infima and suprema of sets of real numbers, juniors (and even some mature sophomores) had sufficient mathematical background to handle the subject matter. Many of the students whom I taught had very limited experience with formal and rigorous mathematical exposition.

Thermodynamics in Materials Science, Second Edition is a clear presentation of how thermodynamic data is used to predict the behavior of a wide range of materials, a crucial component in the decision-making process for many materials science and engineering applications. This primary textbook accentuates the integration of principles, strategies, a

Designed for the course in thermodynamics or for use as a reference for practicing engineers, this book includes the theoretical underpinnings and derivations necessary for advanced study. The book focuses on the mechanical and power engineering applications of thermodynamics. Mathematics is utilized as required, serving as a tool to formulate the concepts, solve problems and applications. Furthermore, numerous examples are provided to demonstrate the applications of thermodynamics for engineering problems and to enhance the use of concepts. It also includes statistical thermodynamic examples when relevant and pertinent. These examples are shown either conceptually or numerically. Features: +Numerous examples are provided to demonstrate the applications of thermodynamics for engineering problems +Includes a comprehensive and generalist view of thermodynamics, along with historical developments in the field +Presents mathematical tools such as the Legendre transformation, the Euler chain rule, the Jacobian methodology and applications for thermodynamic derivatives.

Statistical physics has its origins in attempts to describe the thermal properties of matter in terms of its constituent particles, and has played a fundamental role in the development of quantum mechanics. Based on lectures taught by Professor Kardar at MIT, this textbook introduces the central concepts and tools of statistical physics. It contains a chapter on probability and related issues such as the central limit theorem and information theory, and covers interacting particles, with an extensive description of the van der Waals equation and its derivation by mean field approximation. It also contains an integrated set of problems, with solutions to selected problems at the end of the book and a complete set of solutions is available to lecturers on a password protected website at www.cambridge.org/9780521873420. A companion volume, Statistical Physics of Fields, discusses non-mean field aspects of scaling and critical phenomena, through the perspective of renormalization group.

Modern Engineering Thermodynamics - Textbook with Tables Booklet offers a problem-solving approach to basic and applied engineering thermodynamics, with historical vignettes, critical thinking boxes and case studies throughout to help relate abstract concepts to actual engineering applications. It also contains applications to modern engineering issues. This textbook is designed for use in a standard two-semester engineering thermodynamics course sequence, with the goal of helping students develop engineering problem solving skills through the use of structured problem-solving techniques. The first half of the text contains material suitable for a basic Thermodynamics course taken by engineers from all majors. The second half of the text is suitable for an Applied Thermodynamics course in mechanical engineering programs. The Second Law of Thermodynamics is introduced through a basic entropy concept, providing students a more intuitive understanding of this key course topic. Property Values are discussed before the First Law of Thermodynamics to ensure students have a firm understanding of property data before using them. Over 200 worked examples and more than 1,300 end of chapter problems provide an extensive opportunity to practice solving problems. For greater instructor flexibility at exam time, thermodynamic tables are provided in a separate accompanying booklet. University students in mechanical, chemical, and general engineering taking a thermodynamics course will find this book extremely helpful. Provides the reader with clear presentations of the fundamental principles of basic and applied engineering thermodynamics. Helps students develop engineering problem solving skills through the use of structured problem-solving techniques. Introduces the Second Law of Thermodynamics through a basic entropy concept, providing students a more intuitive understanding of this key course topic. Covers Property Values before the First Law of Thermodynamics to ensure students have a firm understanding of property data before using them. Over 200 worked examples and more than 1,300 end of chapter problems offer students extensive opportunity to practice solving problems. Historical Vignettes, Critical Thinking boxes and Case Studies throughout the book help relate abstract concepts to actual engineering applications. For greater instructor flexibility at exam time, thermodynamic tables are provided in a separate accompanying booklet.

Take some heat off the complexity of thermodynamics Does the mere thought of thermodynamics make you sweat? It doesn't have to! This hands-on guide helps you score your highest in a thermodynamics course by offering easily understood, plain-English explanations of how energy is used in things like automobiles, airplanes, air conditioners, and electric power plants. Thermodynamics 101 — take a look at some examples of both natural and man-made thermodynamic systems and get a handle on how energy can be used to perform work Turn up the heat — discover how to use the first and second laws of thermodynamics to determine (and improve upon) the efficiency of machines Oh, behave — get the 411 on how gases behave and relate to one another in different situations, from ideal-gas laws to real gases Burn with desire — find out everything you need to know about conserving mass and energy in combustion processes Open the book and find: The laws of thermodynamics Important properties and their relationships The lowdown on solids, liquids, and gases How work and heat go handin hand The cycles that power thermodynamic processes Chemical mixtures and reactions Ten pioneers in thermodynamics Real-world applications of thermodynamic laws and concepts Learn to: Master the concepts and principles of thermodynamics Develop the problem-solving skills used by professional engineers Ace your thermodynamics course

A Course in Statistical Thermodynamics explores the physical aspects of the methodology of statistical thermodynamics without the use of advanced mathematical methods. This book is divided into 14 chapters that focus on a correct statement of the Gibbsian ensemble theory couched in quantum-mechanical terms throughout. The introductory chapters emphasize the concept of equilibrium, phase space, the principle of their quantization, and the fundamentals of quantum mechanics and spectroscopy. These topics are followed by an exposition of the statistical method, revealing that the structure of the physical theory is closely modeled on mathematical statistics. A chapter focuses on stationary ensembles and the restatement of the First, Second, and Third Law of Thermodynamics. The remaining chapters highlight the various specialized applications of statistical thermodynamics, including real and degenerate gases, simple solids, radiation, magnetic systems, nonequilibrium states, and fluctuations. These chapters also provide a rigorous derivation of Boltzmann's equation, the H-theorem, and the vexing paradox that arises when microscopic reversibility must be reconciled with irreversible behavior in the large. This book can be used for two semesters in the junior or senior years, or as a first-year graduate course in statistical thermodynamics.