Overview

Energy is typically regarded as understandable, despite its multiple forms of storage and transfer. Entropy, however, is an enigma, in part because of the common view that it represents disorder. That view is flawed and hides entropy’s connection with energy. In fact, macroscopic matter stores internal energy, and that matter’s entropy is determined by how the energy is stored. Energy and entropy are intimately linked. Energy and Entropy: A Dynamic Duo illuminates connections between energy and entropy for students, teachers, and researchers. Conceptual understanding is emphasised where possible through examples, analogies, figures, and key points. Features: Qualitative demonstration that entropy is linked to spatial and temporal energy spreading, with equilibrium corresponding to the most equitable distribution of energy, which corresponds to maximum entropy Analysis of energy and entropy of matter and photons, with examples ranging from rubber bands, cryogenic cooling, and incandescent lamps to Hawking radiation of black holes Unique coverage of numerical entropy, the 3rd law of thermodynamics, entropic force, dimensionless entropy, free energy, and fluctuations, from Maxwell's demon to Brownian ratchets, plus attempts to violate the second law of thermodynamics

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9780367351410

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Reviews

Not often does one have the chance to read a book that is the result of a lifetime of productive thought about an important subject, but such is the case with Harvey Leff's Energy and Entropy. One is astounded by the depth and breadth of this book. And, what is more, Professor Leff has a deft way of appealing to various kinds of readers: professionals who want to see the mathematics and those whose desire a more conceptual understanding. If you have room on your bookshelf for only one volume on thermodynamics, (and I don't say this lightly) your choice should be Energy and Entropy. Don S. Lemons, Professor of Physic Emeritus, Bethel College, North Newton, Kansas

Not often does one have the chance to read a book that is the result of a lifetime of productive thought about an important subject, but such is the case with Harvey Leff's Energy and Entropy. One is astounded by the depth and breadth of this book. And, what is more, Professor Leff has a deft way of appealing to various kinds of readers: professionals who want to see the mathematics and those who desire a more conceptual understanding. If you have room on your bookshelf for only one volume on thermodynamics, (and I don't say this lightly) your choice should be Energy and Entropy. - Don S. Lemons, Professor of Physic Emeritus, Bethel College, North Newton, Kansas Harvey Leff has used his lifelong interest and expertise in thermodynamics and statistical mechanics to write a delightful monograph on the relation between energy and entropy. The author explains the relation with thoughtful explanations including detailed examples, many of which are glossed over in most thermodynamics texts. Although most of the text is intended to expand on traditional material, more advanced topics such as the Jarznski equality are also discussed. The text should be of particular interest to students who are puzzled by the many subtleties of thermodynamics and by instructors who wish to offer a deeper understanding of the subject. - Harvey Goud, Clark University

Author Information

Harvey S. Leff is Professor Emeritus of Physics at California State Polytechnic University in Pomona, California and Visiting Scholar at Reed College in Portland, Oregon. He has published widely in thermal physics, writing primarily for physics and chemistry teachers and students. With Andrew Rex, Leff co-edited Maxwell's Demon 2: Entropy, Classical and Quantum Information, Computing. He served as President of the American Association of Physics Teachers, and is a Fellow of the American Physical Society and the American Association of Physics Teachers, and a Consulting Editor for the American Journal of Physics. When not doing physics, Leff plays drums in two bands, The Leff Trio and Jazz Up, and he is the former drummer in The Out-Laws of Physics.

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