Understanding Engineering Thermo

Levenspiel (chemical engineering, Oregon State U.), taking pity on the undergraduate puzzling over thermodynamic symbols and squiggles, provides a foundation text for "thermo" study minimizing its abstractions. Concentrating on the first two laws of Thermo, the text presents introductions to work and heat, potential and kinetic energy, chemical and nuclear reacting systems, mechanical engineering, phase equilibrium, and entropy and information. The text includes problems, witty illustrations, theorems, and tables. No bibliography. Annotation c. by Book News, Inc., Portland, Or.

Thermodynamics, the branch of physics dealing with the reversible transformation of heat into other forms of energy, has traditionally been one of the most conceptually difficult topics to comprehend and use intelligently. This book presents an introduction to the basic concepts of thermodynamics using simple statements and intuitive proofs. Covers all the basic principles of thermodynamics, including the first law of thermodynamics, potential energy, kinetic energy, chemical and nuclear reactions, engineering fluids, the second law, work from heat, and applications. For engineers and technicians in many diverse fields.