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The refrigerator and the universe

The laws of thermodynamics are often mentioned in popular science books, but often this only gives a superficial view. On the other hand most readers wouldn't want to struggle with thermodynamics textbooks. The refrigerator and the universe provides a substantial introduction to the subject but with a minimum of mathematics - any reader who knows a bit of high school maths. should have no trouble with this book. Indeed some might find the book slow going, with more than 200 pages taken to introduce the first and second laws of thermodynamics and to show the link between entropy and microscopic information. But it isn't difficult to read, so most readers will find the insight gained from this to be very worthwhile.

The last six chapters deal with some of the applications of thermodynamics in the other sciences. The chapter on chemical thermodynamics looks at questions such as why the oceans and atmosphere don't combine to form nitric acid (2H₂O + 2N₂ + 5O₂ → 4HNO₃). Other chapters look at thermodynamics in physics, biology (how our food getes transformed into motion) and geology (the cooling of the earth), and there is a chapter on the third law of thermodynamics and its links to quantum theory. The final chapter looks at the thermodynamics and cosmology leading up to the probable heat death of the universe.

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Paperback 446 pages
ISBN: 0674753259
Salesrank: 937620
Weight:1.29 lbs

Published: 1995 Harvard University Press

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Amazon.co.uk info

Paperback 446 pages
ISBN: 0674753259
Salesrank: 818549
Weight:1.29 lbs

Published: 1995 Harvard University Press

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Amazon.ca info

Paperback 446 pages
ISBN: 0674753259
Salesrank: 424756
Weight:1.29 lbs

Published: 2002 Harvard University Press

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Product Description
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.

Product Description

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.

The real explanation of the I and II law of thermodynamics *****
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

The real explanation of the I and II law of thermodynamics *****

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

Useful introduction to, or review of, thermodynamics ***
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.

Useful introduction to, or review of, thermodynamics ***

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.

The laws of entropy in the most elementary terms *****
This book is truly a gift to thosewho desire to understand in depth the making of that which exists. The thinking and aggressive searchfor understanding behind this workhas brought the laws of entropy toits most basic level. Knowing thatthe breakup of order does not designate disorder but instead order to a higher degree, seems tobe the rudimental step in discovery. The question seems to merely be what phase of order is one looking at and through what psychological belief patterns is one viewing the order? Martin Goldstein and Inge F. Goldstein takes one through the phases of development with simplicity and ease. Knowing that order is the framework by which visualization takes place and that disorder fragments vision until the loss ofvisual effect becomes total, surely gives one a different way by which to understand an environment and its connecting forces. Does change in its most elementary meaning then bring about disorder to an ordered system? Perhaps ordered systemscan expand connecting additional knowledge to itself or expand and break apart, all governed according to the forces feeding it. Martin and Inge have certainlybegun a cycle of reconsiderations and reevaluations of one's basic pattern of thinking.

The laws of entropy in the most elementary terms *****

This book is truly a gift to thosewho desire to understand in depth the making of that which exists. The thinking and aggressive searchfor understanding behind this workhas brought the laws of entropy toits most basic level. Knowing thatthe breakup of order does not designate disorder but instead order to a higher degree, seems tobe the rudimental step in discovery. The question seems to merely be what phase of order is one looking at and through what psychological belief patterns is one viewing the order? Martin Goldstein and Inge F. Goldstein takes one through the phases of development with simplicity and ease. Knowing that order is the framework by which visualization takes place and that disorder fragments vision until the loss ofvisual effect becomes total, surely gives one a different way by which to understand an environment and its connecting forces. Does change in its most elementary meaning then bring about disorder to an ordered system? Perhaps ordered systemscan expand connecting additional knowledge to itself or expand and break apart, all governed according to the forces feeding it. Martin and Inge have certainlybegun a cycle of reconsiderations and reevaluations of one's basic pattern of thinking.

Alright introduction to energy and entropy ***
I believe the approach of this book is far too basic. The first 100 pages keep repeating the laws of Newton and the conservation of energy. It covers a lot of thermodynamic history - maybe a little too much. The last parts of the book with more application is the best. Too much text and too few formulae, you almost wonder who the book is intended for - partly complex reasoning and no maths or formulae... But it does explain entropy well

Alright introduction to energy and entropy ***

I believe the approach of this book is far too basic. The first 100 pages keep repeating the laws of Newton and the conservation of energy. It covers a lot of thermodynamic history - maybe a little too much. The last parts of the book with more application is the best. Too much text and too few formulae, you almost wonder who the book is intended for - partly complex reasoning and no maths or formulae... But it does explain entropy well