000			02038cam a22002297a 4500
001			10804
003			IN-BhIIT
005			20240701153025.0
008			060824s2007 gw a b 001 0 eng c
020			_a9783642079641
040			_aIN-BhIIT
041			_aeng
082	0	0	_a536.709 _bMUL/H
100	1		_aMüller, Ingo, _eAuthor _923630
245	1	2	_aA history of thermodynamics : _bthe doctrine of energy and entropy / _cIngo Müller.
260			_aBerlin ; _bSpringer, _cc2007.
300			_ax, 330 p. : _bill. ; _c25 cm.
504			_aIncludes bibliographical references and index.
520			_aThe most exciting and significant episode of scientific progress is the development of thermodynamics and electrodynamics in the 19th century and early 20th century. The nature of heat and temperature was recognized, the conservation of energy was discovered, and the realization that mass and energy are equivalent provided a new fuel, – and unlimited power. Much of this occurred in unison with the rapid technological advance provided by the steam engine, the electric motor, internal combustion engines, refrigeration and the rectification processes of the chemical industry. The availability of cheap power and cheap fuel has had its impact on society: Populations grew, the standard of living increased, the envir- ment became clean, traffic became easy, and life expectancy was raised. Knowledge fairly exploded. The western countries, where all this happened, gained in power and influence, and western culture – scientific culture – spread across the globe, and is still spreading. At the same time, thermodynamics recognized the stochastic and probabilistic aspect of natural processes. It turned out that the doctrine of energy and entropy rules the world; the first ingredient – energy – is deterministic, as it were, and the second – entropy – favours randomness. Both tendencies compete, and they find the precarious balance needed for stability and change alike.
650		0	_aThermodynamics.
942			_cTRB
999			_c13670 _d13670