ATUAN

Thermodynamics
by Enrico Fermi

Thermodynamics
By Enrico Fermi

Publisher: Dover Publications
Number Of Pages: 160
Publication Date: 1956-06-01
ISBN-10 / ASIN: 048660361X
ISBN-13 / EAN: 9780486603612
Binding: Paperback

In this classic of modern science, the Nobel Laureate presents a clear treatment of systems, the First and Second Laws of Thermodynamics, entropy, thermodynamic potentials, and much more. Calculus required.

Summary: Quick Repitition of Basic Arguments
Rating: 5

In order to get a quick review of the first semester of physical chemistry, you get a perfect edition. Everything is proved, there are several examples of classical experiments and later you can skip the text and just read the formulas for even better repitition.
One thing I’m missing is the complete behavior of real gasses, here you just find the Van-der-Waals equation and not the Virial-equation, fugacity or Thompson-effect and so on, but I think this was not the intention of the book.
I read it because I wanted, as a german, to get into english thermodynamical terms and I read it as an introduction to statistical thermodynamics, where I now go thru the text of Schrödinger.

Summary: excellent
Rating: 5

I am a recently retired electrical engineer.

One goal I have had for retirement is to try to become knowledgable about energy, on account of it being in my view the most crucial technical issue that will determine the well-being or lack thereof of mankind in the coming years.

As I have read various articles and books on contemporary energy topics, it dawned on me that I need to get a better grounding in thermodynamics and chemistry.

I had one course in thermodynamics in school, but, as an EE, I think I just learned it well enough to pass the tests without understanding it in depth.

There is an excellent book on renewable energy called “Fundamentals of Renewable Energy Processes” that covers the gamut of energy alternatives, and is geared toward someone with a science/engineering background, as compared to the many books on the topic of energy that are written at a layman’s level.

There is some good material in the early chapters of that book on thermodynamics and heat engines. However, I felt like I should get a few additional books on thermodynamics to make sure I have a good grasp of the fundamentals.

Fermi’s book has proved to be very useful in that regard. I have only gone through the chapters on the 1st & second laws and entropy, which I think may be all I need to know for now.

I was concerned that a book by Fermi might be over my head.

To my delight, I found that is not the case. For me, the level of difficulty was just right- he does not cut corners, but it is at a level where I think most undergraduate engineering students would be able to grasp it without tremendous agony. But, although it is not overly abstract, Fermi approaches the subject from a physicist’s perspective, which is: Whatever concept he is covering, he doesn’t pull it out of a hat, he explains where it comes from.

I believe everything I ever did in my engineering career that was of substance was in an area where I had a decent grasp of the origins of the formulas and concepts I was working with.

Fermi’s book is the most valuable tool I have found to get such a grounding in the basic laws of thermodynamics.

I have only read through the chapter on entropy- I’m not sure whether I will need the rest of the material, but I will probably discover before too long that the answer is yes.

I now feel better prepared to read up on practical heat engines. I believe it will be easier to learn such material and I will understand it better on account of having gotten the fundamentals from Fermi’s book.

Summary: Good for those with an understanding of Thermo
Rating: 3

This book is somewhat outdated. The fundamental concepts are still there and are pretty clear, but there are still things that are assumed of the reader. These assumptions are based on the fact that the reader has knowledge of thermodynamics already. This is actually stated at the beginning of the book. If you are an undergrad taking a thermo class, I do not think this would be a good book to help you in understanding this subject more completely.

Summary: Classic Lectures on Thermodynamics, A for Clarity
Rating: 5

These lectures by Enrico Fermi make great reading for undergraduates in chemistry or physics, particularly those undergoing the rigors of physical chemistry and chemical thermodynamics. Fermi writes with clarity, always carefully laying the appropriate groundwork for each topic.

The mathematics assumes familiarity with calculus, including partial differentiation. Fermi provides clear explanations and motivation for the mathematics and the derivations are complete and easy to follow. For example, he carefully explained the form of a perfect differential of two variables and how it can be more readily integrated. I appreciated this help.

The first four chapters will be familiar to students of physics: Thermodynamic Systems, First Law of Thermodynamics, Second Law of Thermodynamics, and Entropy. The derivation of the Clapeyron equation and the Van der Waals equation may be new to some students.

Thereafter, the text begins to look more like physical chemistry with chapters titled Thermodynamic Potentials, Gaseous Reactions, Thermodynamics of Dilute Solutions, and the Entropy Constant. I found these last chapters to be more difficult, but not overly so.

At some points Thermodynamics becomes a real page-turner, but not in the sense of a fast-paced action story. The page-turning is necessary to retrieve earlier mathematical expressions. Occasionally, you will encounter statements like “the expression for the free energy is immediately obtained from equations (111), (29), and (86).” Fermi does not allow the reader to forget earlier derivations and discussions.

If your familiarity with thermodynamics is limited (or now foggy due to the passage of years), I suggest first reading Understanding Thermodynamics by H. C. Van Ness. This 100-page book, a series of lectures, is an excellent introduction to thermodynamics from an engineering and physics perspective. It corresponds to the first four chapters of Fermi’s text.

Summary: Excellent book
Rating: 5

Thanks for the previous reviewers. Their comments are absolutely correct. This is one of the best book on thermodynamics!

The book is small in size, but contains clear and comprehensive explanations of the subject.

There is usually something I don’t like in a book. However, I cannot find a single negative thing about this one. It is that good!

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