Understanding Engineering Thermo [Facsimile] [Textbook Binding]

Octave Levenspiel (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0135312035 | ISBN-13: 978-0135312032 | Publication Date: April 16, 1996 | Edition: 1st

Presenting an introduction/review of the basic concepts of thermodynamics in a more qualitative manner than most traditional thermodynamics texts, this work is written in a colloquial style, and provides readers with an easy-to-understand reference to basic thermodynamic principles. Qualitative problems are designed give readers a more intuitive understanding of the subject. Examples and practical applications from a number of diverse fields - astronomy, medicine, and information theory - are included.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

Thermodynamics, the branch of physics dealing with the reversible transformation of heat into other forms of energy, has traditionally been one of the most conceptually difficult topics to comprehend and use intelligently. This book presents an introduction to the basic concepts of thermodynamics using simple statements and intuitive proofs. Covers all the basic principles of thermodynamics, including the first law of thermodynamics, potential energy, kinetic energy, chemical and nuclear reactions, engineering fluids, the second law, work from heat, and applications. For engineers and technicians in many diverse fields.

Product Details

• Textbook Binding: 363 pages
• Publisher: Prentice Hall College Div; 1st edition (April 16, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0135312035
• ISBN-13: 978-0135312032
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 7.1 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,681,627 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A fine supplemental text for intro thermo students, January 20, 2006

By 

pogonia (Ithaca, NY USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Understanding Engineering Thermo (Textbook Binding)

Our buddy Bookinfo of Seattle, thermo text maven, characterizes this book as "thermo for dummies". Call me a dummy, but I liked it. It's straightforward. It's clear. It focuses on the physical phenomena under study. The presentation is leavened with humor. Many of the examples and problems are based on everyday, real life events and systems rather than on "classic" research papers or industrial processes cherished only by those already adept in the field.

It's a rare text that has the bandwidth to reach everyone in an introductory engineering thermo class. (Çengel, for instance - for heat, work, and the heat-engine approach to entropy, though its treatment of reactions, vapor liquid equilibrium and anything biological is scanty) This is not such a universal text, but it can be very useful, and not just for dummies.

IMHO the golden objective of a thermo class is for students to understand both the physical principles and the mathematical substructure of thermodynamics. Students approach this blessed state from different directions. The student who is comfortable manipulating systems of multivariate equations to derive insight into physical processes will find Levenspiel's text superficial. The student who requires a clear overview of the physical phenomena to even begin interpreting the equations will find this book both helpful and reassuring. If you find thermo to be a confusing salad of variables with little connection to reality, this book will be useful to you - not so much by itself but as a supplement to the text you're already using.

A word in closing: if Amazon and the used-book resellers would try to acquire their supply of this book from the Oregon State University bookstore, they would be able to offer much more attractive pricing and availability.

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars EngThermo AS EASY AS POSSIBLE,recommended for weak learners!, April 14, 2005

By 

Bookinfo (Seattle, WA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Understanding Engineering Thermo (Textbook Binding)

Who would dare to spend money on this obviously not-so-ambitious text? It could perfectly be called "Thermo for Dummies" and as such is not meant for ambitious studies! It does entertain, teach and thus serve the complete yet serious novice, though. Lots of captivating explanations, interesting background infos, the witty narration style and the many many exhilaratingly funny illustrations make this short book an usual fun reading through and through, laughings out loud guaranteed! Of all thermo texts available, this is the easiest, still helpful treatment of ENGINEERING thermodynamics I know of. If you never found viable access to this subject, or need to pass only a single semester course (most engineering programs require two semesters of undergrad thermo education), then get a copy right away. Yes, a top recommendedation, strong buy!, if you are among those who need such an aid. Pretty economic purchases possible through orders directly from the author's university bookstore. A web investigation reveals that this Totally-Intro-Text *is* in use as chosen, adopted textbook at J-colleges and even some engineering departments, which means that it is considered 'serious enough'! Missing problem answers/solutions manual and the limited value 'afterwards' (within 2 months you could have gone twice through it, understood the whole matter, passed your mid-terms and then wont need it anymore) make it a 3 stars only rating, sorry. So after reading it on the john and lauhing out loud a couple of times, I returned it to the library and went back to my serious thermo studies.

5 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent text book for engineers and students, July 18, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Understanding Engineering Thermo (Textbook Binding)

We need an answer book for the questions given at the end of each chapter. Short answers...