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11 - Basic Thermodynamics

from Case Study IV - Thermodynamics and Statistical Physics

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  27 March 2020

Malcolm S. Longair
Affiliation:
University of Cambridge
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Summary

The understanding of heat and temperature was central to the industrial revolution, which needed heat engines to supply power for industrial processes where it was required. The second law was derived from Carnot's insights into the operation of perfect heat engines. The first law was more controversial until the problems were resolved by Clausius and William Thomson through a careful analysis of the first and second laws of thermodynamics. In turn, this led to the understanding of the direction of heat flow through the introduction of a new function of state, the concept of entropy.

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Theoretical Concepts in Physics
An Alternative View of Theoretical Reasoning in Physics
, pp. 244 - 287
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2020

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  • Basic Thermodynamics
  • Malcolm S. Longair, University of Cambridge
  • Book: Theoretical Concepts in Physics
  • Online publication: 27 March 2020
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781108613927.016
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  • Basic Thermodynamics
  • Malcolm S. Longair, University of Cambridge
  • Book: Theoretical Concepts in Physics
  • Online publication: 27 March 2020
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781108613927.016
Available formats
×

Save book to Google Drive

To save content items to your account, please confirm that you agree to abide by our usage policies. If this is the first time you use this feature, you will be asked to authorise Cambridge Core to connect with your account. Find out more about saving content to Google Drive.

  • Basic Thermodynamics
  • Malcolm S. Longair, University of Cambridge
  • Book: Theoretical Concepts in Physics
  • Online publication: 27 March 2020
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781108613927.016
Available formats
×