Overview

At the heart of many fields - physics, chemistry, engineering - lies thermodynamics. While this science plays a critical role in determining the boundary between what is and is not possible in the natural world, it occurs to many as an indecipherable black box, thus making the subject a challenge to learn. Two obstacles contribute to this situation, the first being the disconnect between the fundamental theories and the underlying physics and the second being the confusing concepts and terminologies involved with the theories. While one needn't confront either of these two obstacles to successfully use thermodynamics to solve real problems, overcoming both provides access to a greater intuitive sense of the problems and more confidence, more strength, and more creativity in solving them. This book offers an original perspective on thermodynamic science and history based on the three approaches of a practicing engineer, academician, and historian. The book synthesises and gathers into one accessible volume a strategic range of foundational topics involving the atomic theory, energy, entropy, and the laws of thermodynamics.

Full Product Details

9780198851554

Table of Contents

Reviews

This is the book I wish I had 25 years ago! Bob Hanlon describes in beautiful detail the meaning behind thermodynamics concepts that our teachers and books missed. He provides new perspectives on entropy, heat and work, and statistical mechanics. Along the way we get to meet our heroes, people like Carnot, Clausius, of course Gibbs. A gem of a book! * Darrell Velegol, Distinguished Professor, Penn State University * This book is for those who frequently ask why is this happening? instead of what is happening? That's why this book is different than any textbook on this subject. It is such a rich material, organized in the way that gives to the reader (being an experienced professional or an under-graduate student) the ability to question and understand the concepts behind the Laws of Thermodynamics. The most important, reading this book is like reading a novel about a very exciting subject. * Dr Roger Riehl, National Institute for Space Research (INPE). *

This is the book I wish I had 25 years ago! Bob Hanlon describes in beautiful detail the meaning behind thermodynamics concepts that our teachers and books missed. He provides new perspectives on entropy, heat and work, and statistical mechanics. Along the way we get to meet our heroes, people like Carnot, Clausius, of course Gibbs. A gem of a book! * Darrell Velegol, Distinguished Professor, Penn State University * This book is for those who frequently ask why is this happening? instead of what is happening? That's why this book is different than any textbook on this subject. It is such a rich material, organized in the way that gives to the reader (being an experienced professional or an under-graduate student) the ability to question and understand the concepts behind the Laws of Thermodynamics. The most important, reading this book is like reading a novel about a very exciting subject. * Dr Roger Riehl, National Institute for Space Research. *

Author Information

Dr. Robert T. Hanlon earned his Sc.D. in chemical engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and subsequently conducted post-doctoral research at Karlsruhe University in Germany. His professional career took him to Mobil Oil Research & Development Corporation, the Rohm and Haas Company, and then back to MIT where he is currently involved with their School of Chemical Engineering Practice.

Tab Content 6

Customer Reviews

Recent Reviews

Countries Available