Modern Thermodynamics: From Heat Engines to Dissipative Structures [Paperback]

Dilip Kondepudi (Author), I. Prigogine (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0471973947 | ISBN-13: 978-0471973942 | Publication Date: October 23, 1998 | Edition: 1

Thermodynamics is a core part of most science and engineering curricula. However, most texts that are currently available to students still treat thermodynamics very much as it was presented in the 19th century, generally for historical rather than pedagogical reasons. Modern Thermodynamics takes a different approach, and deals with the relationship between irreversible processes and entropy.The relationship between irreversible processes and entropy is introduced early on, enabling the reader to benefit from seeing the relationship in such processes as heat conduction and chemical reactions. This text presents thermodynamics in a contemporary and exciting manner, with a wide range of applications, and many exercises and examples. Students are also encouraged to use computers through the provision of Mathematica code and Internet / WWW addresses where real data and additional information can be found.

FEATURES

? A truly modern approach to thermodynamics, presenting it as a science of irreversible processes whilst avoiding dividing the subject into equilibrium and non-equilibrium thermodynamics.

? An extensive range of applications drawn from science and engineering, along with many real world examples, and exercises.

? Written by two well-known authors, of whom Professor llya Prigogine was awarded the Nobel Prize for his

research into thermodynamics.

CONTENTS: Part I: Historical Roots: From Heat Engines to Cosmology: Basic Concepts; First Law of Thermodynamics; Second Law of Thermodynamics and the Arrow of Time; Entropy in the Realm of Chemical Reactions; Part ll: Equilibrium Thermodynamics: Extremum Principles and General Thermodynamic Relations; Basic Thermodynamics of Gases, Liquids and Solids; Thermodynamics of Phase Change; Thermodynamics of Solutions; Thermodynamics of Chemical Transformations; Fields and Internal Degrees of Freedom; Thermodynamics of Radiation; Part III: Fluctuations and Stability: The Gibbs' Theory of Stability; Critical Phenomena and Configurational Heat Capacity; Theory of Stability and Fluctuations Based on Entropy Production; Part IV: Linear Nonequilibrium Thermodynamics: Nonequilibrium Thermodynamics: The Foundations; Nonequilibrium Thermodynamics: The Linear Regime; Nonequilibrium Stationary States and their Stability: Linear Regime; Part V: Order Through Fluctuations: Nonlinear Thermodynamics; Dissipative Structures; Postface: Where do we go from here?

Editorial Reviews

Review

Here, at long last, is a thermodynamics book, suitable for both undergraduates and graduates, that integrates recently developed understanding of far-from-equilibrium systems into a rigorous and coherent presentation of the foundation of the science. In Modern Thermodynamics, Dilip Kondepudi and Ilya Prigogine give a solid treatment of the first and the second laws and entropy - with abundant historical material. Then they turn to concise treatment of the standard topics of equilibrium thermodynamics. Adding ample worked illustrations and problems. A third, shorter section covers fluctuations and stability, including the Gibbs stability theory, critical phenomena and entropy production before getting to the heart of the subject: linear non-equilibrium thermodynamics. Here, they include the Onsager reciprocal relationships and the stability of non-equilibrium steady states. .... Anyone interested in helping students (and active researchers) prepare for dealing with main themes of contemporary chemistry and biology should consider this book carefully. -- The New Scientist, 3 October, 1998

Kondepudi and Prigogine's book will be a revelation for chemists schooled in the Lewis and Randall thermodynamics approach. The authors provide new insights into even basic thermodynamic concepts from the view of the Belgian school. Prigogine received a Nobel prize for his work in nonequilibrium thermodynamics, and the last two parts of the book are based on this necessary part of modern chemical education. The first 14 chapters cover traditional thermodynamics in an unconventional and insightful way. The last two parts are available for use in more advanced courses than a first reading of the subject. Further, the book as a whole presents a rarely accomplished view of both equilibrium and non-equilibrium thermodynamics. A number of problems are included, and the reader is encouraged to solve some of them using Mthematica and/or other computer packages. The authors acknowledge the existence of real data and other information on the Web and encourage the reader to access these sources via Internet addresses provided. A fresh presentation of thermodynamics, which underscores this science as one of irreversible processes. Upper-division undergraduates through professionals. -- CHOICE, April, 1999

The authors of this book have identified a gap in the range of textbooks currently available, and have filled it, efficiently and admirably. .... Lecturers in physics, chemistry and engineering will find this text invaluable for their undergraduate courses, and postgraduates in the area of thermodynamics will find it essential reading. ...

I wish I had this book, instead of my rather dry undergraduate physics text, and a rather narrow postgraduate astrophysics text. -- High Temperatures - High Pressures, Vol. 30, No. 6, 1998

From the Back Cover

Modern Thermodynamics From Heat Engines to Dissipative Structures Dilip K. Kondepudi Wake Forest University and Ilya Prigogine International Solvay Institutes and University of Texas at Austin Modern Thermodynamics is a comprehensive introduction to this important subject, presenting a unified view of both equilibrium and nonequilibrium thermodynamics. Introducing the subject in a modern and exciting way, the relationship between irreversible processes that occur naturally and the rate of increase of entropy is introduced early on, enabling the reader to benefit from seeing this relationship in such processes as heat conduction and chemical reactions. The importance played by historical developments is also recognized, and topics are often presented in their historical context, leading to a fuller appreciation of the subject. Recognising the importance of computers in this field, readers are encouraged to solve problems using computers and access thermodynamic data and information on the World Wide Web. Modern Thermodynamics:
* Presents thermodynamics as a science of irreversible processes.
* Takes a unified view of both equilibrium and nonequilibrium thermodynamics.
* Contains many applications drawn from science and engineering, along with real world examples and problems.
* Encourages the reader to access real data and information on the Web through the provision of WWW addresses.
* Shows the reader how to solve problems using computer packages such as Mathematica.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 508 pages
• Publisher: Wiley; 1 edition (October 23, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0471973947
• ISBN-13: 978-0471973942
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 7.3 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #780,846 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

29 of 30 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars This books certainly fills a void, January 18, 2000

By 

Oscar - See all my reviews

This review is from: Modern Thermodynamics: From Heat Engines to Dissipative Structures (Paperback)

Until now, books on non-equilibrium thermodynamics were quite advanced, courses on the subject were given separately from other thermodynamics courses, and thermodynamics in general was viewed as a collection of three -more or less individual- subfields: classical thermodynamics, statistical thermodynamics and finally non-equilibrium thermodynamics. I've waited a long time for an introductory text that presented a unified and modern approach to the field.

Kondepudi and Prigogine come close in writing such a book. It is very accessible, well written, and it tries very hard to present thermodynamics as one unified discipline.

Points are scored with the attention given to historical developments, the incorporation of non-equilibrium concepts right from the start (the 'unified' approach), the clear presentations of the various notions (some of which are conceptually quite difficult, such as the classical description of entropy), and the quality of the problems.

Weaknesses are the somewhat cheap looking lay-out, the absence of key ideas from statistical thermodynamics (which are really helpful in understanding non-equilibrium concepts, and are essential to anyone who needs to learn thermodynamics; this omission is unforgivable) and the poor editing job (many typos, sentences constructed in a weird way).

All in all, this is probably the first affordable introductory text of thermodynamics that incorporates non-equilibrium ideas from the very start, and it certainly does justice to what is known as 'classical' thermodynamics or 'non-equilibrium' thermodynamics. The lack of 'statistical' thermodynamics is a severe error of judgement by the authors; as a consequence, the book -good as it is- does NOT describe thermodynamics as a whole; students will still need to follow a separate course in statistical thermodynamics. Given the importance of the topic, the instructiveness of its reasoning and its power to make the various thermodynamic pieces fall together, the omission of 'statistical' thermodynamics is a mystery.

Other than that, the book is a delight. For the missing statistical info, I recommend the excellent book by Frederi

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent, July 19, 2004

By 

Surviving Modern Scientist (Buenos Aires University, Argentina) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Modern Thermodynamics: From Heat Engines to Dissipative Structures (Paperback)

This is an excellent book, simple, rational, with the relevant historical context...
I was teaching a thermodynamics course for biologists and was quite tired of the standard stuff when a collegue recommend this book to me, he had the impression that it was a good book and was about to review it for his own course (physics students).
We decidded to adopt the book for both courses (we use only the first part with is intended for this use).

The best book on thermodynamics I have seen so far.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Textbook is distinguishable by a link between eq. and no-eq., February 12, 2001

By 

Juan R. Gonzalez-Alvarez (Vigo-Galicia (Spain)) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Modern Thermodynamics: From Heat Engines to Dissipative Structures (Hardcover)

Kondepudi and Prigogine's textbook is distinguishable by a link between the books of equilibrium non-statistical thermodynamics and the monographs in non-equilibrium non-statistical thermodynamics. A minor lack of generality on the development of the whole formal system is apparent, but an advantage in that the text is practical and complete. In my opinion, there is no clear logic connection between subjects in equilibrium and non- equilibrium. For example, the derivation of the Clausius' inequality from the entropic balance equation is lacking. The historic references and the portraits of the pioneers in the field of thermodynamics are remarkable. The chapter dedicated to the dissipative structures is basic, but this is compensated with a very good introduction to the linear and non-linear non-equilibrium regimes. The treatment of affinity is admirable, more so by the way it sticks out with the influence of the Brussels school! A noteworthy criticism is the confusion created by the inter-use of the terms "current density" and "flux" in the study of non-equilibrium processes. I like the statement of the third law. The footnote discussion of the local character of the balance equations with regards to Einstein's relativistic theory is also very interesting.