A to Z of ThermodynamicsThis is a comprehensive guide to the often confusing subject of thermodynamics, for engineers, physicists, and chemists. The succinct entries are arranged alphabetically, allowing the reader to browse through the subject and to pursue a particular point, skipping or ignoring extraneous points. After twenty years of teaching thermodynamics, Professor Perrot knows exactly which areas students find difficult and has taken particular trouble with these points. The entries explain the words and phrases that crop up in thermodynamics without recourse to pages of mathematics and algebra: the main aim being to explain and clarify the jargon and concepts. Professor Perrot achieves this aim while maintaining a refreshing lightness of prose style, in which spirit he also includes some asides on interesting people and events in the history of thermodynamics. |
Contents
Section 1 | 1 |
Section 2 | 28 |
Section 3 | 33 |
Section 4 | 86 |
Section 5 | 104 |
Section 6 | 166 |
Section 7 | 183 |
Section 8 | 207 |
Section 9 | 223 |
Section 10 | 246 |
Section 11 | 251 |
Section 12 | 266 |
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Common terms and phrases
activity coefficient adiabatic adiabatic process Amix amount of substance Boltzmann calculated characterized chemical potential chemical reaction Clapeyron composition constituent constraints corollary corresponding critical point cycle defined diagram differential distribution electric field electrode ensemble enthalpy entropy of mixing entropy production equals equation equilibrium constant Euler identity exchanged expansion expressed extensive quantity flux fugacity galvanic cell gases Gibbs energy gradient heat capacity heat quantity Helmholtz energy Henry's law ideal gas instance integral molar interaction internal energy introduced isenthalpic isobaric isothermal liquid liquid-vapour magnetic field mass mixture molar quantity molar volume molecules N₁ name given obtained parameter Partial molar quantity partition function phase physicist possible pure quantum radiation Raoult's law ratio relation relationship Remark represents reversible saturated vapour second law solid solution solvent stable equilibrium standard surface surroundings temperature tension thermal thermodynamic potential transformation transition unit vapour pressure variable vector velocity whence zero