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The Laws of Thermodynamics: A Very Short Introduction - Softcover

 
9780199572199: The Laws of Thermodynamics: A Very Short Introduction
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The laws of thermodynamics drive everything that happens in the universe. From the sudden expansion of a cloud of gas to the cooling of hot metal--everything is moved or restrained by four simple laws. Written by Peter Atkins, one of the world's leading authorities on thermodynamics, this powerful and compact introduction explains what these four laws are and how they work, using accessible language and virtually no mathematics. Guiding the reader a step at a time, Atkins begins with Zeroth (so named because the first two laws were well established before scientists realized that a third law, relating to temperature, should precede them--hence the jocular name zeroth), and proceeds through the First, Second, and Third Laws, offering a clear account of concepts such as the availability of work and the conservation of energy. Atkins ranges from the fascinating theory of entropy (revealing how its unstoppable rise constitutes the engine of the universe), through the concept of free energy, and to the brink, and then beyond the brink, of absolute zero.

About the Series: Combining authority with wit, accessibility, and style, Very Short Introductions offer an introduction to some of life's most interesting topics. Written by experts for the newcomer, they demonstrate the finest contemporary thinking about the central problems and issues in hundreds of key topics, from philosophy to Freud, quantum theory to Islam.

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About the Author:

Peter Atkins is Professor of Chemistry at the University of Oxford and Fellow of Lincoln College. He is the author of nearly 60 books, which include Galileo's Finger: The Ten Great Ideas of Science and the famed textbook Physical Chemistry (now in its eighth edition).
Review:
Review from previous edition: "It takes not only a great writer but a great scientist with a lifetime's experience to explains such a notoriously tricky area with absolute economy and precision, not to mention humour."

--Books of the Year, Observer. 30.11.08

"His engaging account...the lucid figures offer readers a firm understanding of energy and entropy."

--Science 4/04/08

"Concise, well-written, engaging and carefully structured... an enjoyable and informative read."

--Chemistry World 01/12/2007

"Peter Atkins's account of the core concepts of thermodynamics is beautifully crafted."

--Simon Mitton, THES 16/11/2007

"A brief and invigoratingly limpid guide to the laws of thermodynamics."

--Saturday Guardian 15/09/2007

"Atkins's systematic foundations should go a long way towards easing confusion about the subject...an engaging book, just the right length (and depth) for an absorbing, informative read."

--Mark Haw, Nature 20/09/2007

"[Atkins'] ultra-compact guide to thermodynamics [is] a wonderful book that I wish I had read at university."

--New Scientist 20/10/2007

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  • PublisherOxford University Press
  • Publication date2010
  • ISBN 10 0199572194
  • ISBN 13 9780199572199
  • BindingPaperback
  • Edition number1
  • Number of pages103
  • Rating

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Book Description Paperback. Condition: new. Paperback. From the sudden expansion of a cloud of gas or the cooling of a hot metal, to the unfolding of a thought in our minds and even the course of life itself, everything is governed by the four Laws of Thermodynamics. These laws specify the nature of 'energy' and 'temperature', and are soon revealed to reach out and define the arrow of time itself: why things change and why death must come. In this Very Short Introduction Peter Atkinsexplains the basis and deeper implications of each law, highlighting their relevance in everyday examples. Using the minimum of mathematics, he introduces concepts such as entropy, free energy, and to the brinkand beyond of the absolute zero temperature. These are not merely abstract ideas: they govern our lives. In this concise and compelling introduction Atkins paints a lucid picture of the four elegant laws that, between them, drive the Universe. ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a newsubject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable. Among the many laws of science, there are four laws that direct and constrain everything that happens in the Universe. From the sudden expansion of a cloud of gas to the unfurling of a leaf they help us understand the course of life itself. In this Very Short Introduction Peter Atkins' explains what the four laws are and how they work. Shipping may be from multiple locations in the US or from the UK, depending on stock availability. Seller Inventory # 9780199572199

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