Equilibrium Thermodynamics (Paperback)

by C. J. Adkins (Author) "The zeroth law of thermodynamics is concerned with the properties of systems in thermal equilibrium, and the concept of temperature follows directly from it..." (more)
Key Phrases: molar partial potential, principal specific heat capacities, principal heat capacities (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review
This third edition contains new material on fluctuations, solubility gaps and phase diagrams of simple alloy systems, and the fountain effect in liquid helium. Previously published by McGraw-Hill. -- Book Description --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Description
Equilibrium Thermodynamics gives a comprehensive but concise course in the fundamentals of classical thermodynamics. Although the subject is essentially classical in nature, illustrative material is drawn widely from modern physics and free use is made of microscopic ideas to illuminate it. The overriding objective in writing the book was to achieve a clear exposition: to give an account of the subject that it both stimulating and easy to learn from. Classical thermodynamics has such wide application that it can be taught in many ways. The terms of reference for Equilibrium Thermodynamics are primarily those of the undergraduate physicist; but it is also suitable for courses in chemistry, engineering, materials science etc. The subject is usually taught in the first or second year of an undergraduate course, but the book takes the student to degree standard (and beyond). Prerequisites are elementary or school-level thermal physics.

Product Details

• Paperback: 300 pages
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press; 3 edition (January 12, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0521274567
• ISBN-13: 978-0521274562
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.8 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #577,667 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Classical thermo, with clarity & rigor, for physicists, February 14, 2004

By	Daniel Wilkins "more light" (Omaha, NE United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This is a beautifully clear into to thermo, treated purely as macroscopic phenomenology.

Equilibrium thermodynamics (or thermostatics, as some call it) has manifold applications-in physics, chemistry, biology, geology, engineering, etc. The author is a physicist, and selects his material accordingly. However, he does devote the penultimate chapter , ch.11 ("Systems of Several Components") to some chemistry-type applications including chemical reactions in ideal gases.

Prior to Adkins, most thermo books I studied merged thermo with statistical mechanics. Entropy treated the purely macroscopic or "thermo way" appeared to me abstract & unintuitive, and cycles with heat engines seemed an awkward import from engineering.
The author entirely avoids leaning on statistical mechanics for the main thrust of his arguments, but makes a few side remarks about stat mech on occasion. By keeping the thermo pure, he teaches the reader its power and beauty. Everyone should learn thermo this way, and Adkins is a superb guide for the mature physicist. He achieves the unusual feat of providing careful, rigorous arguments while keeping the narrative smoothly flowing and readable. In other words, he honors the intellectual integrity so essential in this discipline, but never stifles the reader with pedantry or excessive detail.

The problems are sometimes challenging, but with sustained effort, I could "crack" most of those I tried. It was only in chap. 11 that I started to find the problems too difficult, and that may well reflect my own lack of prior exposure in this area.

(By the way, Adkins derives entropy with heat engines and Carnot cycles, but those who like a less torturous or "gizmo-ridden" route to entropy will be pleased that he also includes Caratheodory's abstract argument.)

Bravo to the author for creating this first-rate textbook. I cannot praise it too highly.

0 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars very good, September 18, 2008

By	puppypersonLOTR "puppypersonLOTR" (Wisconsin) - See all my reviews

This item arrived within a reasonable amount of time and in very good condition. I am pleased and satisfied.

2 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Concise and accurate, April 29, 2004

By	R. Mijic (england) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Equilibrium Thermodynamics (Hardcover)

A good, solid introduction.

this book is "particularly recommended" on the University of Cambridge Physics dept. course website, so it must be good!