A Student's Guide to Entropy

Striving to explore the subject in as simple a manner as possible, this book helps readers understand the elusive concept of entropy. Innovative aspects of the book include the construction of statistical entropy from desired properties, the derivation of the entropy of classical systems from purely classical assumptions, and a statistical thermodynamics approach to the ideal Fermi and ideal Bose gases. Derivations are worked through step-by-step and important applications are highlighted in over 20 worked examples. Around 50 end-of-chapter exercises test readers' understanding. The book also features a glossary giving definitions for all essential terms, a time line showing important developments, and list of books for further study. It is an ideal supplement to undergraduate courses in physics, engineering, chemistry and mathematics.

Reviews & endorsements

'In A Student's Guide to Entropy, Don Lemons conveys both mathematical and physical intuition of entropy … [he] is very thorough, clear, and succinct in his explanations, making sure that no subtlety is left unnoticed or unaccounted for. The reader feels that he/she is being taught and guided by an experienced teacher of thermodynamics and entropy … This book will be essential not only to students but also to faculty who are charged with the difficult task of teaching a subject that involves entropy … a thorough, self-contained guide to entropy for students and teachers.' Effrosyni Seitaridou, American Journal of Physics

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Product details

• Date Published: August 2013
• format: Paperback
• isbn: 9781107653979
• length: 200 pages

• dimensions: 227 x 154 x 9 mm
• weight: 0.33kg
• contains: 38 b/w illus. 51 exercises
• availability: Available