The Principles of Thermodynamics

This text presents the conceptual and technical developments of the subject without unduly compromising on either the historical or logical perspective. It also covers the tremendous range of scientifically deep and technologically revolutionary applications of thermodynamics. The text explains how thermodynamics evolved from a few basic laws that were amazingly successful and with tremendous range, without even knowing about the atomic structure of matter or the laws governing the behavior of atoms.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1: The Beginnings
Chapter 2: First Law—The E = Mc2 of Thermodynamics
Chapter 3: The Second and Third Laws
Chapter 4: Carnot Cycles – The TuringMachines of Thermodynamics
Chapter 5: Specific Heats:Magnificent Bridges
Chapter 6: Structure of ThermodynamicTheories
Chapter 7: Thermodynamic Potentials andMaxwell Relations
Chapter 8: Magnetic Systems
Chapter 9: Dilute Solutions
Chapter 10: Phases and Their Equilibria
Chapter 11: The Clapeyron Equation
Chapter 12: The van der Waals Equation
Chapter 13: The Critical Point
Chapter 14: Approach to Absolute Zero
Chapter 15: Entropy Constants
Chapter 16: Some Mathematical Aspects of Thermodynamics
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