Thermodynamics For Dummies book cover

Thermodynamics For Dummies

Overview

Take some heat off the complexity of thermodynamics

Does the mere thought of thermodynamics make you sweat? It doesn't have to! This hands-on guide helps you score your highest in a thermodynamics course by offering easily understood, plain-English explanations of how energy is used in things like automobiles, airplanes, air conditioners, and electric power plants.

  • Thermodynamics 101 — take a look at some examples of both natural and man-made thermodynamic systems and get a handle on how energy can be used to perform work

  • Turn up the heat — discover how to use the first and second laws of thermodynamics to determine (and improve upon) the efficiency of machines

  • Oh, behave — get the 411 on how gases behave and relate to one another in different situations, from ideal-gas laws to real gases

  • Burn with desire — find out everything you need to know about conserving mass and energy in combustion processes

Open the book and find:

  • The laws of thermodynamics

  • Important properties and their relationships

  • The lowdown on solids, liquids, and gases

  • How work and heat go handin hand

  • The cycles that power thermodynamic processes

  • Chemical mixtures and reactions

  • Ten pioneers in thermodynamics

  • Real-world applications of thermodynamic laws and concepts

Learn to:

  • Master the concepts and principles of thermodynamics

  • Develop the problem-solving skills used by professional engineers

  • Ace your thermodynamics course

Take some heat off the complexity of thermodynamics

Does the mere thought of thermodynamics make you sweat? It doesn't have to! This hands-on guide helps you score your highest in a thermodynamics course by offering easily understood, plain-English explanations of how energy is used in things like automobiles, airplanes, air conditioners, and electric power plants.

  • Thermodynamics 101 — take a look at some examples of both natural and man-made thermodynamic systems and get a handle on how energy can be used to perform work

  • Turn up the heat — discover how to use the first and second laws of thermodynamics to determine (and improve upon) the efficiency of machines

  • Oh, behave — get the 411 on how gases behave and relate to one another in different situations, from ideal-gas laws to real gases

Burn with desire — find out everything you need to know about conserving mass and energy in combustion processes

Open the book and find:

  • The laws of thermodynamics

  • Important properties and their relationships

  • The lowdown on solids, liquids, and gases

  • How work and heat go handin hand

  • The cycles that power thermodynamic processes

  • Chemical mixtures and reactions

  • Ten pioneers in thermodynamics

  • Real-world applications of thermodynamic laws and concepts

Learn to:

  • Master the concepts and principles of thermodynamics

  • Develop the problem-solving skills used by professional engineers

  • Ace your thermodynamics course

Thermodynamics For Dummies Cheat Sheet

Thermodynamics sounds intimidating, and it can be. However, if you focus on the most important thermodynamic formulas and equations, get comfortable converting from one unit of physical measurement to another, and become familiar with the physical constants related to thermodynamics, you’ll be at the head of the class.