Back to Search

Discover Entropy and the Second Law of Thermodynamics: A Playful Way of Discovering a Law of Nature

AUTHOR Ben-Naim, Arieh
PUBLISHER World Scientific Publishing Company (09/09/2010)
PRODUCT TYPE Hardcover (Hardcover)

Description
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.
Show More
Product Format
Product Details
ISBN-13: 9789814299756
ISBN-10: 9814299758
Binding: Hardback or Cased Book (Sewn)
Content Language: English
More Product Details
Page Count: 288
Carton Quantity: 40
Product Dimensions: 8.10 x 0.70 x 9.00 inches
Weight: 1.70 pound(s)
Feature Codes: Bibliography, Index, Table of Contents, Illustrated
Country of Origin: SG
Subject Information
BISAC Categories
Science | Mechanics - Thermodynamics
Science | Probability & Statistics - General
Science | Information Theory
Dewey Decimal: 536.73
Library of Congress Control Number: 2010023319
Descriptions, Reviews, Etc.
jacket front
This is a sequel to the author's book entitled "Entropy Demystified." 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 no unexpected results, and 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 a 20-question game.

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 give 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 law without the tinge mystery. There are no pre-requisites expected of 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.

Show More
publisher marketing
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.
Show More

Author: Ben-Naim, Arieh
ARIEH BEN-NAIM
Professor of Physical Chemistry
The Hebrew University
Givat Ram, Jerusalem, Israel
Temporary address for correspondence:
Departamento de Quimica
Universidad de Burgos, 09001
Burgos, Spain
arieh@fh.huji.ac.il
Born in Jerusalem, Israel. I did my Masters and PhD at The Hebrew University of Jerusalem. I did my post doctorate at the University of Stony Brook and at Bell Laboratories. I had been teaching at The Hebrew University of Jerusalem since 1967. During my numerous travels, I taught and collaborated
in various universities and research institutes around the world.
Show More
List Price $59.00
Your Price  $58.41
Hardcover