Discover Entropy And The Second Law Of Thermodynamics: A Playful Way Of Discovering A Law Of Nature

A Playful Way of Discovering a Law of Nature

Arieh Ben-naim

• Publisher: World Scientific
• Year: 2010
• ISBN:
  9789814299770
• Topic: Biological Sciences
• Subtopic: Science General
• Index: Biological Sciences

This is a sequel to the author's book entitled “Entropy Demystified” (Published by World Scientific, 2007). The aim is essentially the same as that of the previous book by the author: to present Entropy and the Second Law as simple, meaningful and comprehensible concepts. In addition, this book presents a series of “experiments” which are designed to help the reader discover entropy and the Second Law. While doing the experiments, the reader will encounter three most fundamental probability distributions featuring in Physics: the Uniform, the Boltzmann and the Maxwell–Boltzmann distributions. In addition, the concepts of entropy and the Second Law will emerge naturally from these experiments without a tinge of mystery. These concepts are explained with the help of a few familiar ideas of probability and information theory.

The main “value” of the book is to introduce entropy and the Second Law in simple language which renders it accessible to any reader who can read and is curious about the basic laws of nature. The book is addressed to anyone interested in science and in understanding natural phenomenon. It will afford the reader the opportunity to discover one of the most fundamental laws of physics — a law that has resisted complete understanding for over a century. The book is also designed to be enjoyable.

There is no other book of its kind (except “Entropy Demystified” by the same author) that offers the reader a unique opportunity to discover one of the most profound laws — sometimes viewed as a mysterious — while comfortably playing with familiar games. There are no pre-requisites expected from the readers; all that the reader is expected to do is to follow the experiments or imagine doing the experiments and reach the inevitable conclusions.

Contents:

• Introduction: A Brief History of Entropy and the Second Law of Thermodynamics
• All You Need to Know But Never Dared to Admit That You Already Know
• Discover the Uniform Spatial Distribution
• Discover the Boltzmann Distribution
• Discover the Maxwell–Boltzmann Distribution
• Entropy and the Second Law in the World of Marbles
• Entropy and the Second Law in the Real World

Readership: General (popular), students and scientists (physics, chemistry, other sciences), anyone interested in science.

Table of contents

• Contents
• Preface
• Self-Testing Kit
• List of Abbreviations
• Acknowledgement
• CHAPTER 1 Introduction: A Brief History of Entropy and the Second Law of Thermodynamics
• CHAPTER 2 All You Need to Know but Never Dared to Admit that You Already Know
• CHAPTER 3 Discover the Uniform Spatial Distribution
• CHAPTER 4 Discover the Boltzmann Distribution
• CHAPTER 5 Discover the Maxwell–Boltzmann Distribution
• CHAPTER 6 Entropy and the Second Law in theWorld of Marbles
• CHAPTER 7 Entropy and the Second Law in the Real World
• CHAPTER 8 Notes
• Epilogue
• References and Suggested Reading
• Index