Get Ebooks The Refrigerator And The Universe: Understanding The Laws Of Energy
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.
Hardcover: 433 pages
Publisher: Harvard University Press; First Edition edition (September 1993)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0674753240
ISBN-13: 978-0674753242
Product Dimensions: 9.6 x 6.6 x 1.3 inches
Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds
Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
Best Sellers Rank: #2,371,215 in Books (See Top 100 in Books) #51 in Books > Science & Math > Physics > Entropy #5636 in Books > Science & Math > Chemistry > General & Reference #6091 in Books > Textbooks > Science & Mathematics > Chemistry
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.
Quite a few good to excellent pop science books have been published since this volume was released in 1995. After close to a score of years the Goldsteins' book still stands for this reader as one of the most rewarding. For one thing, the authors are serious about getting historical detail right. They write fluently, but there is a clear expectation that the details of the intellectual adventure, not merely anecdotes, are what will engage and sustain your interest. For those not already well versed in thermodynamics, the book will require closer attention than some other very good books on overlapping topics such as Boltzmann's Atom by David Lindley. The payoff from the Goldsteins' book is, however, exceptional. As with John Derbyshire's Prime Obsession, when you finish this book, you will have much of an insider's understanding of an important but difficult subject (up through the early 1990s), even if you knew little or nothing about it going in. Highly recommended.
I have owned the hard-cover edition since its publication. This paperback one was for a gift (to a precocious high-school junior).One simply cannot do meaningful work in physics, chemistry, biology, engineering without a solid grasp of thermodynamics. Some thermodynamic topics are intuitively very difficult for students. This is the book to take a science student, high-school or college, into and through several essential topics, making formal classroom work much easier.No, this is not a book just for science students. It's an excellent refresher for us older hands, as well. And a downright pleasant and lively read.
Great explanation of entropy for the scientifically literate reader. Still, there were some things that I am still quite hazy about, like the concept of reversability. That is probably unavoidable unless one works out exercises, textbook style, and this is assuredly not a textbook. The explanation of the parallel between physical entropy and information entropy was mind-blowing. Numerous historical notes add flavor to the explanations. The later chapters cover a potpourri of grand topics like the age of the earth, why life can exist, quantum mechanics, and relativity. The idea was to address these topics from the standpoint of entropy. The authors tried to do that, although it's a bit of a stretch at times, but it doesn't matter - they cover these topics wonderfully, probably communicating as much about each of them as one chapter for each can possibly do, and very readably. This was one of my favorite reads. One caveat - I think this book would be a bit over the head of someone who hasn't had a math course since high school.
What an amazing journey reading this wonderful book has been for me! The authors have written a sweeping exposition of the science of thermodynamics including its development from the earliest thinkers on the subject, through the discovery of its laws, on to the applicability of these laws to various fields such as chemistry, biology and geology. Finally, they discuss the perseverance of these laws when confronted with quantum mechanics, relativity and the entire universe.The authors' approach is to focus on concepts and principles and their development and meaning rather than mathematical rigour. Since mathematics is kept to a bare minimum, this book could be a very valuable complement to any of the usual (much more mathematical) courses on thermodynamics.The writing style is very clear, friendly, lively, accessible and quite captivating. The authors are not stingy with words and, consequently, they thoroughly explain the various ideas presented along with plenty of useful examples. In addition to students of thermodynamics, those most likely to thoroughly enjoy this book are science buffs, especially those, like me, who have a particular love and fascination for thermodynamics and the laws of energy.
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
Great!!!
The Refrigerator and the Universe: Understanding the Laws of Energy Teeny-Tiny Wine Guide: A Must for Beginners, Wine Experts and Wine Snobs Alike (Refrigerator Magnet Books) Renewable Energy Made Easy: Free Energy from Solar, Wind, Hydropower, and Other Alternative Energy Sources A Restatement of Rabbinic Civil Law Volume 1 Laws of Judges and Laws of Evidence The 8 Laws of Corporate America: The laws to moving through complicated situations and coming out on top. The Laws of the Ring: The Laws of the Cage from the California Kid The Laws of Love, Part One: 10 Spiritual Principles That Can Transform Your Life: Laws 1-5 (Pt.1) What in the Universe? (Steven Universe) Mammals Who Morph: The Universe Tells Our Evolution Story: Book 3 (The Universe Series) From Lava to Life: The Universe Tells Our Earth Story: Book 2 (The Universe Series) First Meetings: In Ender's Universe (Other Tales from the Ender Universe) Mysterious Universe: Supernovae, Dark Energy, and Black Holes (Scientists in the Field Series) The Mysterious Universe: Supernovae, Dark Energy, and Black Holes The 4 Percent Universe: Dark Matter, Dark Energy, and the Race to Discover the Rest of Reality How to Keep Kosher: A Comprehensive Guide to Understanding Jewish Dietary Laws I Wish I Knew This 20 Years Ago: Understanding the Universal Laws That Govern All Things CHAKRAS: Chakras for Beginners - Awaken Your Internal Energy and Learn to Radiate Positive Energy and Start Healing (Chakras, Chakras For Beginners, Awaken Chakras, Third Eye) Crystal Healing: How crystal healing works, crystal therapy, the human energy field, gemstones, and how to use crystals for healing and increased energy! Introduction to Hydro Energy Systems: Basics, Technology and Operation (Green Energy and Technology) Energy for the 21st Century: Opportunities and Challenges for Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) (New Horizons in Environmental and Energy Law series)
