Principles of modern thermodynamics

This book gives a full course in thermodynamics suitable for practising scientists and engineers in physics, geology, materials science and engineering chemistry. The author, with many years' experience in teaching in the USA, Britain, Africa and Asia, has written a book which will be accessible to a wide readership, without the heavy reliance on arduous mathematics which can make the subject difficult to understand.

The intention is to provide a sound understanding of both the fundamental physical principles of thermodynamics and the more advanced concepts of the subject.

The book assumes no prior knowledge of thermodynamics and begins with an introduction to the subject, giving definitions and a brief overview of the way in which thermodynamics can be used. The four Laws of Thermodynamics are discussed in detail and the various thermodynamic cycles are investigated.

The more advanced chapters deal with thermochemistry, applications of the First and Second Laws, free energy and chemical equilibrium, phase equilibria of multicomponent systems and the thermodynamics of solutions. A set of Appendices give various standard useful data.

. The author has developed new derivations of many standard formulae, which clarify the physical significance of the formulae without sacrificing logical rigour. The use of these new derivations means that the level of mathematics can be kept to a minimum. To assist in the understanding of the physical implications, numerous worked examples and exercises with solutions are included.