The Refrigerator and the Universe
Understanding the Laws of Energy
Published on 24. February 1995
Book
Paperback/Softback
446 pages
978-0-674-75325-9 (ISBN)
Description
C. P. Snow once remarked that not knowing the second law of thermodynamics is like never having read Shakespeare. Yet, while many people grasp the first law of energy, "Energy can neither be created nor destroyed," few recognize the second, "Entropy can only increase." What is entropy anyway, and why must it increase? Whether we want to know how a device as simple as a refrigerator works or understand the fate of the universe, we must start with the concepts of energy and entropy.
In The Refrigerator and the Universe, Martin and Inge Goldstein explain the laws of thermodynamics for science buffs and neophytes alike. They begin with a lively presentation of the historical development of thermodynamics. The authors then show how the laws follow from the atomic theory of matter and give examples of their applicability to such diverse phenomena as the radiation of light from hot bodies, the formation of diamonds from graphite, how the blood carries oxygen, and the history of the earth. The laws of energy, the Goldsteins conclude, have something to say about everything, even if they do not tell us everything about anything.
In The Refrigerator and the Universe, Martin and Inge Goldstein explain the laws of thermodynamics for science buffs and neophytes alike. They begin with a lively presentation of the historical development of thermodynamics. The authors then show how the laws follow from the atomic theory of matter and give examples of their applicability to such diverse phenomena as the radiation of light from hot bodies, the formation of diamonds from graphite, how the blood carries oxygen, and the history of the earth. The laws of energy, the Goldsteins conclude, have something to say about everything, even if they do not tell us everything about anything.
Reviews / Votes
The strengths of [this book] are its scope and coverage and much excellent writing... It contains a rich mix of interesting ideas covering important historical events and applications of the laws of energy and entropy. -- Harvey S. Leff * American Journal of Physics * Readers at all levels, from high school to professional scientists, will find something intriguing in this book... It provides a very readable and informative account of a difficult topic. * Science Books and Films * The writing is clear, uncluttered, insightful, and makes use of many excellent analogies to explain and clarify difficult but important concepts. * Choice *More details
Language
English
Place of publication
Cambridge, Mass
United States
Target group
College/higher education
Professional and scholarly
Illustrations
2 halftones, 74 line illustrations, 19 tables
Dimensions
Height: 235 mm
Width: 156 mm
Weight
635 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-674-75325-9 (9780674753259)
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Schweitzer Classification
Persons
Martin Goldstein is former Professor of Chemistry at Yeshiva University. Inge F. Goldstein is Special Lecturer in Epidemiology, Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health.