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Block by Block

The Historical and Theoretical Foundations of Thermodynamics

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About this listen

At the heart of many fields - physics, chemistry, engineering - lies thermodynamics. While this science plays a critical role in determining the boundary between what is and is not possible in the natural world, it occurs to many as an indecipherable black box, thus making the subject a challenge to learn. Two obstacles contribute to this situation, the first being the disconnect between the fundamental theories and the underlying physics and the second being the confusing concepts and terminologies involved with the theories. While one needn't confront either of these two obstacles to successfully use thermodynamics to solve real problems, overcoming both provides access to a greater intuitive sense of the problems and more confidence, more strength, and more creativity in solving them.

Block by Block offers an original perspective on thermodynamic science and history based on the three approaches of a practicing engineer, academician, and historian. The book synthesizes and gathers into one accessible volume a strategic range of foundational topics involving the atomic theory, energy, entropy, and the laws of thermodynamics.

©2020 Robert T. Hanlon (P)2020 Tantor History & Culture Physics Science
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For anyone who has studied thermodynamics, but has not fully understood many concepts, this is a wonderful book. The author takes you through the entire history of thermodynamics thoroughly. Along the way, the author really clears the state of the knowledge at various points, what were the burning questions, what were the motivations of various scientists and beautifully bring the wonderful subject of thermodynamics to life.

It helped me understand how Carnot cycle came out (the way all text books present it, makes it look like it came out of nowhere). It explains the contribution of greats, whose names we come across while studying thermodynamics, but whose depth of knowledge and contributions are not made known. This books goes to great lengths at explaining the difficulty and the impact of various scientists like Klausius.

The book is a little repetitive in many places. But, this is one of the most unique books I have come across and I loved it.

Literally building the subject block by block

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I always wanted to know more about that elusive area of thermodynamic and especially entropy.. this book is a very good introduction. needs careful attention to listen esp on audiobook format but rewards you with a satisfying experience... ability to start to dip the toes into this area of science !

Narration is very good and does justice to such a rich text.

very well researched, written and narrated. thank you to the author for brining this to us !

very good review of a complex area

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