Average customer rating:
- Simply outstanding
- good alternative intro
- Excellent foundation
- Highly recommended
- Excellent to understand the subject
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Understanding Thermodynamics
H.C. Van Ness
Manufacturer: Dover Publications
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Fundamentals of Thermodynamics
ASIN: 0486632776 |
Book Description
Clearly written treament elucidates fundamental concepts and demonstrates their plausibility and usefulness. Language is informal, examples are vivid and lively, and the perspectivie is fresh. Based on lectures delivered to engineering students, this work will also be valued by scientists, engineers, technicians, businessmen, anyone facing energy challenges of the future.
Customer Reviews:
Simply outstanding.......2007-01-02
Who knew that thermodynamics could actually be entertaining? This book is a joy to read regardless of your technical background or interests. It isn't meant to be a text, or even a demonstration of the subject's importance, but, rather, an invocation of the sheer wonder that can lie in the most mundane things if only you can look at them from the viewpoint that thermodynamics offers.
good alternative intro.......2006-08-30
First, skip over the silly introductory analogy of a little kid playing with marbles or whatever. But then it gets good. Aside from introducing an equation (p.28) including the variable S without even defining, let alone explaining, it, the 1st and 2nd law are explained very lucidly and with much care (I am a graduate electrical engineer with a full-semester thermodynamics course under my belt who's forgotten most of the subject). Entropy is very well dealt with. The last part of the book deals with thermodynamics vs statistical mechanics & there it gets pretty rough. I didn't try to assimilate too much of that part, not being as intetersted, but it's rigorous and doubtlessly also a fine exposition.
This book is certainly worth the small price and a chunk of your time.
Excellent foundation.......2006-01-03
Van Ness cures the common problem of vapid thermodynamics texts by clearly explaining the basics and then stopping.
His little book is an easy read, and firmly roots the student in the reality of what thermodynamic laws and equations actually mean. Most importantly, van Ness repeatedly makes clear that thermodynamics is about imaginary processes that will never occur in real machines.
This should be the first week's read of every course in thermo.
Highly recommended.......2005-05-12
This book is an excellent conceptual introduction to thermodynamics. It helps you to get the "big picture" without getting into mathematical details. The first few chapters are suitable for high-school students that are interested in the fundamental concepts and laws of thermodynamics.
Excellent to understand the subject .......2004-09-02
This book is excellent. I have taken several thermodynamic courses but still the concepts seem too abstract to have a complete grasp of the subject. This books makes it clear. The combination of Understanding Thermodynamics and Thermodynamics by Fermi are a powerful refresher.
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Understanding Thermoforming (Hanser Understanding Books)
James L. Throne
Manufacturer: Hanser Gardner Publications
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Thermoforming: A Practical Guide
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ASIN: 1569902763 |
Average customer rating:
- if you want to understand how Gaia works.
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Non-equilibrium Thermodynamics and the Production of Entropy: Life, Earth, and Beyond (Understanding Complex Systems)
Manufacturer: Springer
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Towards a Thermodynamic Theory for Ecological Systems
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ASIN: 3540224955 |
Book Description
The present volume studies the application of concepts from non-equilibrium thermodynamics to a variety of research topics. Emphasis is on the Maximum Entropy Production (MEP) principle and applications to Geosphere-Biosphere couplings. Written by leading researchers from a wide range of backgrounds, the book presents a first coherent account of an emerging field at the interface of thermodynamics, geophysics and life sciences.
Customer Reviews:
if you want to understand how Gaia works........2006-03-23
I saw this book reviewed in Nature magazine. It had a rave review there, so I bought a copy. I wasn't dissapointed, this is a reprint of all the seminal papers on the subject of MEP (Maximum Entropy Production). It is a modern version of Schroedinger's famous book - "What is Life".
My only wish is that the book could be a little MORE mathematically complete.
Average customer rating:
- The real explanation of the I and II law of thermodynamics
- Useful introduction to, or review of, thermodynamics
- The laws of entropy in the most elementary terms
|
The Refrigerator and the Universe: Understanding the Laws of Energy
Martin Goldstein , and
Inge F. Goldstein
Manufacturer: Harvard University Press
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Six Easy Pieces: Essentials of Physics Explained by Its Most Brilliant Teacher
ASIN: 0674753259 |
Book Description
C. P. Snow once remarked that not knowing the second law of thermodynamics is like never having read Shakespeare. Yet, while many people grasp the first law of energy, "Energy can neither be created nor destroyed," few recognize the second, "Entropy can only increase." What is entropy anyway, and why must it increase? Whether we want to know how a device as simple as a refrigerator works or understand the fate of the universe, we must start with the concepts of energy and entropy. In The Refrigerator and the Universe, Martin and Inge Goldstein explain the laws of thermodynamics for science buffs and neophytes alike. They begin with a lively presentation of the historical development of thermodynamics. The authors then show how the laws follow from the atomic theory of matter and give examples of their applicability to such diverse phenomena as the radiation of light from hot bodies, the formation of diamonds from graphite, how the blood carries oxygen, and the history of the earth. The laws of energy, the Goldsteins conclude, have something to say about everything, even if they do not tell us everything about anything.
In The Refrigerator and the Universe, Martin and Inge Goldstein explain the laws of thermodynamics for science buffs and neophytes alike. They begin with a lively presentation of the historical development of thermodynamics. The authors then show how the laws follow from the atomic theory of matter and give examples of their applicability to such diverse phenomena as the radiation of light from hot bodies, the formation of diamonds from graphite, how the blood carries oxygen, and the history of the earth. The laws of energy, the Goldsteins conclude, have something to say about everything, even if they do not tell us everything about anything.
Customer Reviews:
The real explanation of the I and II law of thermodynamics.......2006-06-16
In the U I had this rather old professor who said that we should not be discouraged by the difficulty in thermodynamics for many great men of science found it difficult too.
If I had to go back and teach those course I would start by recommending this book.. first sound principles well grasped.. anything can be done after that
Useful introduction to, or review of, thermodynamics.......2004-08-01
The book presents the three laws of thermodynamics: the first law (conservation of energy)in chapters 1-4, the second law (dispersal of energy) in chapters 5-9, and the third law (low temperature behavior) in chapter 14. Other chapters apply thermodynamics to light, chemistry, biology, geology, and cosmology. The authors present thermodynamics using both classical and statistical mechanical arguments. References are listed for further study of topics.
Although the book is intended for a general audience, the book will be interesting even to a reader who already has some familiarity with thermodynamics because the book probably treats at least a few applications with which he is unfamiliar. The book also makes a number of refreshing admissions about the limits of thermodynamics; for example, thermodynamics can't be strictly applied to living organisms (p. 297), and in general relativity, energy need not be conserved (p. 370).
The book requires a knowledge of simple algebra and logarithms; however, a tutorial on these subjects is presented in an appendix.
The laws of entropy in the most elementary terms.......1998-01-13
This book is truly a gift to thosewho desire to understand in depth the making of that which exists. The thinking and aggressive searchfor understanding behind this workhas brought the laws of entropy toits most basic level. Knowing thatthe breakup of order does not designate disorder but instead order to a higher degree, seems tobe the rudimental step in discovery. The question seems to merely be what phase of order is one looking at and through what psychological belief patterns is one viewing the order? Martin Goldstein and Inge F. Goldstein takes one through the phases of development with simplicity and ease. Knowing that order is the framework by which visualization takes place and that disorder fragments vision until the loss ofvisual effect becomes total, surely gives one a different way by which to understand an environment and its connecting forces. Does change in its most elementary meaning then bring about disorder to an ordered system? Perhaps ordered systemscan expand connecting additional knowledge to itself or expand and break apart, all governed according to the forces feeding it. Martin and Inge have certainlybegun a cycle of reconsiderations and reevaluations of one's basic pattern of thinking.
Average customer rating:
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Understanding Energy: Energy, Entropy and Thermodynamics for Everyman
R. Stephen Berry
Manufacturer: World Scientific Pub Co Inc
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ASIN: 981020342X |
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- The Importance of The Laws of Thermodynamics in Every Facet of Our Lives.
- Inherently interesting & exceptionally well written
- An excellent view into the Laws of Thermodynamics
- How the natural "disorder" of things affects all of us
- Entropy in Everyday Life
|
The Science of Disorder: Understanding the Complexity, Uncertainty, and Pollution in Our World
Jack Hokikian
Manufacturer: Los Feliz Pub.
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The Black Swan: The Impact of the Highly Improbable
ASIN: 0970895321 |
Customer Reviews:
The Importance of The Laws of Thermodynamics in Every Facet of Our Lives........2006-08-18
When I completed reading Jack Hokikian's The Science of Disorder: Understanding the Complexity, Uncertainty, and Pollution of Our World, I was reminded of Albert Einstein's brilliant observation of The Laws of Thermodynamics when he stated: "The more impressive a Theory, the greater is the simplicity of its premises, the more different are the kinds of things it relates and the more extended its range of applicability."
Hokikian, who received his Ph.D in experimental nuclear physics from the a University of Southern California, contends that in order to comprehend why our rapidly changing world is becoming more complex, disorderly, and polluted, we must refer to the discipline of thermodynamics for the answers.
The introductory chapters of the book provide us with a better understanding of the origination of these laws and their modern scope of applicability.
In addition, Hokikian explains in layman terms the first two Laws of Thermodynamics wherein we are informed that the first law is a statement of the conservation of energy, while the second is the direction of that energy. It should be pointed out that Thermodynamics is the study of the inter-relation between heat, work and the internal energy of a system and they came about while studying heat and heat engines.
From here we learn that the first law states that energy can neither be created nor destroyed; it can only be transformed from one form to another. The amount of energy in the universe is constant. The Second Law pertains to entropy and Hokikian points out that entropy increases in all processes in an irreversible manner. Hokikian tells us that Physicists identify entropy as a measure of the disorder of a thermodynamic system. In other words, it exacts a tax from all our activities by increasing the disorder of our thermodynamic system.
Since the time these laws were conceived, they have become some of the most important laws of all science and very often they are associated with concepts that have far more reaching effects than it would appear. As Hokikian illustrates and exposes, their applicability applies to cosmology, agriculture, economics, chemistry, psychology, medicine, education, ecology, technology, weather patterns, social behavior, nuclear fission, and almost to everything. In other words, as mentioned, "the First and Second Laws of Thermodynamics govern all processes and activities-from physical, chemical, and biological to economic, social and intellectual." They allow us to see the whole picture and not confine us to narrow interpretations which are so often prevalent among many of our present day specialists.
Hokikian has culled many scientific journals and other writings to put together a highly readable account of the importance of these laws. His synopsis of how mechanization of agriculture and the reliance of fertilizers and pesticides have affected humans and our environment is an eye-opener.
As he points out, the transition from horses to tractors, humans replaced an essentially renewable source of energy with a nonrenewable one. However, what is more important is the input of fossil fuel energy per hectare is often substantially greater than the energy yield contained in the food produced. As mentioned, "although it appears that high-intensity agriculture is extremely efficient, the discipline of thermodynamics gives this technique failing marks because the system often operates, energy wise, with a deficit."
We may have benefited from the use of fertilizers, but the benefits are not without costly ramifications. Although there have been important increases in the production of food, this has come about at the expense of massive increases in entropy. Just look at the runoff of chemical fertilizers into rivers, lakes, and subterranean waters and its effects on the environment!
Another interesting and fascinating chapter is the relationship of the Laws of Thermodynamics to Economics wherein Hokikian contends that economic laws and views are presented by economists without any mention of the law of Nature. As a result, whenever a new economic ideology or policy is put forward there is no accounting for the Laws of Thermodynamics. In other words, their view of the economic system is purely mechanical that can be controlled at will without any entropy increases. Government intervention in economic activities of a nation in an attempt to control its behavior invariably creates turbulence-entropy-in the socioeconomic system. As a Canadian, I don't have to look very far when I consider the disastrous effects price controls exacted on the Canadian economy that were implemented in the 1970s or the Canadian energy policy that was attributed to the late Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau and which was later scrapped by Prime Minister Brian Mulroney.
Although, I have to admit that I did struggle with the first few chapters of the book (Science has never been my forté), it all came together when Hokikian shows the practical applicability of the Laws of Thermodynamics to many of today's hot button issues wherein our behavior patterns very often have zero concern for the human and environmental damage they cause.
Beyond doubt, The Science of Disorder: Understanding the Complexity, Uncertainty, and Pollution of Our World is an important contribution in helping the layman to understand the significance of the Laws of Thermodynamics pertaining to their wide application affecting every facet of our lives.
Norm Goldman, Editor Bookpleasures
Inherently interesting & exceptionally well written.......2003-08-08
The Science Of Disorder by Jack Hokikian is a thoughtful and thought-provoking examination of how increasing human population, globalization, and technological advances come with harmful side effects such as new diseases, electronic viruses, environmental degradation, and more. With an eye on how the Laws of Thermodynamics, Energy, and Entropy affect all the processes in the universe (including daily human life), The Science Of Disorder strives to make sense of a seeming disarray, while addressing a keen interest in the big picture and what it means for humanity's future. The Science Of Disorder is sometimes iconoclastic, inherently interesting, exceptionally well written, and a highly recommended addition to Environmental Studies, General Science, and Human Ecology Studies reading lists and reference collections.
An excellent view into the Laws of Thermodynamics.......2003-06-13
When I picked up this book ("The Science of Disorder, Understanding the Complexity, Uncertainty, and Pollution in Our World") two thoughts crossed my mind, first I am not qualified to understand it, and second, this may be a book in the line of "Physics for Dummies". Much to my surprise, neither of these thoughts came to fruition, Dr. Hokikian finds a way to decompose the Laws of Thermodynamics in all its complexity and apply them to the reality of my day to day existence. This is a book for those interested in detailed study into Thermodynamics, as well as ones (like myself) interested in understanding the Physical Laws of nature and how they apply. This is not to say that after I read this book I now comprehend Boltzmann's Entropy Relation (I did not in college, and still struggle with it), but I now can appreciate it. Or better stated by "stealing" words from Dr. Hokikian, when I read these concepts I can understand them "from the simplicity of the equation [and] also from the agreement between its theoretical predictions and actual experimental observations."
How the natural "disorder" of things affects all of us.......2003-06-11
This amazing book is a wonderful explanation of why so many disturbing and seemingly "chaotic" world events are occurring and what we could do to mitigate their effects. Jack Hokikian, a real scientist in the true meaning of the word, has taken a difficult yet critically important subject and created a "must-read" book for anyone who cares about our future on this increasingly crowded planet. Dr. Hokikian clearly describes the Laws of Thermodynamics and uses them to explain the accelerating "rush to disorder" which we are all experiencing in our daily lives. Far from being a dry dissertation about little-understood laws of Physics, Dr. Hokikian's brilliant and entertaining book brings home with a loud bang the critical importance of understanding the impacts of our universe's immutable physical laws and why we, and particularly our leaders, must be made to fully understand these impacts. He uses many rivetting examples from real life to clearly illustrate the chaos and disorder around us along with equally clearly explained causes and effects.
This beautiful book, in clear everyday language, spells out exactly why we see such increasing chaos and disorder around us and how we got to this point and how, once we understand this, we can slow down and perhaps even reverse this frightening process.
The author, Dr. Hokikian is no wild-eyed "mad scientist" nor is he a fanatical "tree-hugger". He is a University Physics Professor, a successful professional engineer and a highly-respected Database Systems designer.
I fully recommend this book to all who want to understand our world better. Practising scientists and engineers as well as laypersons with genuinely "inquiring minds" will gain tremendous insight and knowledge from this book while being entertained by Dr. Hokikian's lucid and elegant, non-patronizing writing style.
Entropy in Everyday Life.......2002-07-06
Once in a great while, an unknown author seems to come out of nowhere with a work destined to alter our thinking about everyday life and its problems. In "The Science of Disorder" we receive the key to understanding the chaos in our world. We also can discern a touch of optimism that by gaining understanding of the laws of physics, we can help alter the course of humankind for the better.
It is sobering to learn that the immutable laws of physics that underlie our existence make it virtually impossible for technology to solve our problems on this crowded planet. The Second Law of Thermodynamics states that the entropy or disorder of the universe tends to increase. Hokikian points out that while we do not use the term entropy much outside of physics, synonyms in the everyday lexicon include "waste, complexity, externalities, side effects, collateral effects, hidden costs, and unintended consequences."
In a chapter entitled "Economics, the Environment, and the Laws of Thermodynamics", Hokikian discusses the economics of computers and technology. Rapid obsolescence reigns, creating high entropy. There are obvious and hidden costs to buying and maintaining the technology. The consequences are degradation rather than improvement in the quality of life, with pollution from the manufacture and disposal of the equipment, and the dissipation of capital and knowledge. (Well, there are exceptions, like Amazon.com!)
But the book leaves us with the hope by learning about the First and Second Laws of Thermodynamics, we can improve our lives and slow the deterioration of our planet.
Average customer rating:
- A fine supplemental text for intro thermo students
- EngThermo AS EASY AS POSSIBLE,recommended for weak learners!
- Excellent text book for engineers and students
|
Understanding Engineering Thermo
Octave Levenspiel
Manufacturer: Prentice Hall
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ASIN: 0135312035 |
Customer Reviews:
A fine supplemental text for intro thermo students.......2006-01-20
Our buddy Bookinfo of Seattle, thermo text maven, characterizes this book as "thermo for dummies". Call me a dummy, but I liked it. It's straightforward. It's clear. It focuses on the physical phenomena under study. The presentation is leavened with humor. Many of the examples and problems are based on everyday, real life events and systems rather than on "classic" research papers or industrial processes cherished only by those already adept in the field.
It's a rare text that has the bandwidth to reach everyone in an introductory engineering thermo class. (Çengel, for instance - for heat, work, and the heat-engine approach to entropy, though its treatment of reactions, vapor liquid equilibrium and anything biological is scanty) This is not such a universal text, but it can be very useful, and not just for dummies.
IMHO the golden objective of a thermo class is for students to understand both the physical principles and the mathematical substructure of thermodynamics. Students approach this blessed state from different directions. The student who is comfortable manipulating systems of multivariate equations to derive insight into physical processes will find Levenspiel's text superficial. The student who requires a clear overview of the physical phenomena to even begin interpreting the equations will find this book both helpful and reassuring. If you find thermo to be a confusing salad of variables with little connection to reality, this book will be useful to you - not so much by itself but as a supplement to the text you're already using.
A word in closing: if Amazon and the used-book resellers would try to acquire their supply of this book from the Oregon State University bookstore, they would be able to offer much more attractive pricing and availability.
EngThermo AS EASY AS POSSIBLE,recommended for weak learners!.......2005-04-14
Who would dare to spend money on this obviously not-so-ambitious text? It could perfectly be called "Thermo for Dummies" and as such is not meant for ambitious studies! It does entertain, teach and thus serve the complete yet serious novice, though. Lots of captivating explanations, interesting background infos, the witty narration style and the many many exhilaratingly funny illustrations make this short book an usual fun reading through and through, laughings out loud guaranteed! Of all thermo texts available, this is the easiest, still helpful treatment of ENGINEERING thermodynamics I know of. If you never found viable access to this subject, or need to pass only a single semester course (most engineering programs require two semesters of undergrad thermo education), then get a copy right away. Yes, a top recommendedation, strong buy!, if you are among those who need such an aid. Pretty economic purchases possible through orders directly from the author's university bookstore. A web investigation reveals that this Totally-Intro-Text *is* in use as chosen, adopted textbook at J-colleges and even some engineering departments, which means that it is considered 'serious enough'! Missing problem answers/solutions manual and the limited value 'afterwards' (within 2 months you could have gone twice through it, understood the whole matter, passed your mid-terms and then wont need it anymore) make it a 3 stars only rating, sorry. So after reading it on the john and lauhing out loud a couple of times, I returned it to the library and went back to my serious thermo studies.
Excellent text book for engineers and students.......1999-07-19
We need an answer book for the questions given at the end of each chapter. Short answers...
Average customer rating:
|
Understanding Energy: Energy, Entropy and Thermodynamics for Every Man
R. Stephen Berry
Manufacturer: World Scientific Publishing Company
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
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ASIN: 9810206798 |
Book Description
This book begins with primary concepts of atomic and molecular structure and of how atoms, molecules and bulk matter store and exchange energy. In the next stage, the macroscopic properties of energy and entropy, and of the constitutive properties of heat capacities are examined. From these, the concept of thermodynamic efficiency is developed. Then the notions of thermodynamic potentials and availability are introduced. With this set of concepts, the analysis of efficient energy use is presented.
Customer Reviews:
For Everyman?.......2002-06-03
Professor Berry, an distinguished research scientist and highly esteemed instructor at the University of Chicago has used the material of this book in courses for undergraduates in the humanities and social sciences. I believe that this indicates him to be an exceptionally charismatic instructor because this is a moderately rigorous text, doing an excellent job of introducing the subject to science majors. However,from my 33 years of teaching bright chemistry and humanities majors, I believe that it would be disastrous for anyone not devoted to science -- or enrolled in a course where he or she MUST conquer the material -- to be able to complete three chapters. Much more is required of the reader before he or she reaches the 170 page mark and begins to see glimmers of entropy and thermodynamics. An excellent book, but not for everyman.
Average customer rating:
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Understanding Chemical Thermodynamics
Pimentel And Spratley
Manufacturer: Holden Day Inc
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
Thermodynamics
| Chemical
| Engineering
| Professional & Technical
| Subjects
| Books
ASIN: B000JCPPYU |
Average customer rating:
|
Understanding Chemical Thermodynamics
George C. Pimentel
Manufacturer: Holden Day
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
Thermodynamics
| Dynamics
| Physics
| Science
| Subjects
| Books
Thermodynamics
| Chemical
| Engineering
| Professional & Technical
| Subjects
| Books
ASIN: 081626791X |
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