A Student's Guide to Entropy

A Student's Guide

by Don S. Lemons

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.

Genres: Physics, Science, Mathematics

195 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 31, 2013

Reviews

[Randy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good accompaniment to other texts on Entropy.

For a college or advanced high school student in physics or chemistry, this small handbook collects a variety of definitions and equations into one place.

It reads a bit like an extended Wikipedia article... many topics get a brief paragraph, there are no derivations of the equations.

But if you or your student has already done the work learning the concepts, this title can be a great review/overview.

[Kevin K. Gillette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Entropy is an inherently thermodynamic principle that is often poorly understood, including by yours truly. Lemons' monograph examines all aspects of entropy as it applies to both physical and information science.

[John Jaksich · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good book on the nature of entropy--although it tends to read 'dry.' For anyone who may have a chemistry or physics background, it may tie together aspects that seemed unclear at first blush. I am told that chem grad students don't score so well on statistical mechanic aspects of placement exams---this may be your ticket to understanding. Clearly delineates aspects of stat mechanical and classical thermodynamic entropy. I recommend it for two types of readers: (1) those desiring a deeper understanding of entropy and (2) those who may need a 'good brush-up' for future study. S=k(delta OMEGA)