1st Edition
by Harvey S. Leff (Author)
Energy is typically regarded as understandable, despite its multiple
forms of storage and transfer. Entropy, however, is an enigma, in part
because of the common view that it represents disorder. That view is
flawed and hides entropy’s connection with energy. In fact, macroscopic
matter stores internal energy, and that matter’s entropy is determined by how the energy is stored. Energy and entropy are intimately linked.
Energy and Entropy: A Dynamic Duo illuminates
connections between energy and entropy for students, teachers, and
researchers. Conceptual understanding is emphasised where possible
through examples, analogies, figures, and key points.
Features:
- Qualitative
demonstration that entropy is linked to spatial and temporal energy
spreading, with equilibrium corresponding to the most equitable
distribution of energy, which corresponds to maximum entropy
- Analysis
of energy and entropy of matter and photons, with examples ranging from
rubber bands, cryogenic cooling, and incandescent lamps to Hawking
radiation of black holes
- Unique coverage of
numerical entropy, the 3rd law of thermodynamics, entropic force,
dimensionless entropy, free energy, and fluctuations, from Maxwell's
demon to Brownian ratchets, plus attempts to violate the second law of
thermodynamics
