Entropy and the Second Law of Thermodynamics

Beschreibung

This book is a brief and accessible popular science text intended for a broad audience and of particular interest also to science students and specialists. Using a minimum of mathematics, a number of qualitative and quantitative examples, and clear illustrations, the author explains the science of thermodynamics in its full historical context, focusing on the concepts of energy and its availability and transformation in thermodynamic processes. His ultimate aim is to gain a deep understanding of the second law—the increase of entropy—and its rather disheartening message of a universe descending inexorably into chaos and disorder. It also examines the connection between the second law and why things go wrong in our daily lives.  Readers will enhance their science literacy and feel more at home on the science side of author C. P. Snow's celebrated two-culture, science-humanities divide, and hopefully will feel more at home in the universe knowing that the disorder we deal with in our daily lives is not anyone's fault but Nature's.  
This book is a brief and accessible popular science text intended for a broad audience and of particular interest also to science students and specialists. Using a minimum of mathematics, a number of qualitative and quantitative examples, and clear illustrations, the author explains the science of thermodynamics in its full historical context, focusing on the concepts of energy and its availability and transformation in thermodynamic processes. His ultimate aim is to gain a deep understanding of the second law—the increase of entropy—and its rather disheartening message of a universe descending inexorably into chaos and disorder. It also examines the connection between the second law and why things go wrong in our daily lives.  Readers will enhance their science literacy and feel more at home on the science side of author C. P. Snow's celebrated two-culture, science-humanities divide, and hopefully will feel more at home in the universe knowing that the disorder we deal with in our daily lives is not anyone's fault but Nature's.  
Explains the nature of entropy in a manner accessible to non-specialists Demonstrates the roles of energy, available energy, and entropy in our daily lives Discusses how living- and other complex systems can develop despite the second law

Autor*in

Robert Fleck

Themen in »Entropy and the Second Law of Thermodynamics«

Entropy and Disorder Second Law of Thermodynamics Closed versus Open Systems Emergence of Order Spontaneous disordering Statistical Mechanics

Stimmen zu »Entropy and the Second Law of Thermodynamics«

"Fleck writes with clarity and authority, and his explanation of the laws of thermodynamics . . . is welcome, especially at a time when science is so tragically misunderstood . . . by lay readers. . . .  [This book] help[s] the general reader understand the anxiety over how to live with the second law. . . .  Fleck has made a valuable, perhaps unique contribution to the lay literature on the history of science—at a time when communication from the inside of the academy is badly needed." Anthony Aveni, prize-winning author and Russell Colgate Distinguished University Professor, Colgate University, USA
"I found his history of thermodynamics interesting and readable. . . .  Certainly, physicists will be interested, but also non-physicists who are interested in thermodynamics. . . .  [E]ven experts will likely learn something they didn't know."Anthony Reynolds, Associate Professor of Physics, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, USA
"A very interesting book indeed.  The historical account of the development of the idea makes the book very lively and adds to the scientific reasoning."  Itzhak Goldman, Professor of Physics, Afeka College, Tel Aviv, Israel 
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