Re: [Phys-l] how not to do thermodynamics and Legendre transformations

["Bob Sciamanda" <treborsci@verizon.net>]

Perhaps the most lucid exposition of the Legendre Transform, in excruciating 
detail of both graphical and analytical aspects , is by Herb Callen, 
"Thermodynamics", Wiley, NY, 1960, Chapter 5.

Bob Sciamanda
Physics, Edinboro Univ of PA (Em)
treborsci@verizon.net
http://mysite.verizon.net/res12merh/

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From: "Carl Mungan" <mungan@usna.edu>
Sent: Tuesday, October 13, 2009 1:55 PM
To: "Forum for Physics Educators" <phys-l@carnot.physics.buffalo.edu>
Subject: Re: [Phys-l] how not to do thermodynamics and Legendre 
transformations

> > I mention this because I recently encountered the
> > following article:
> >   USE OF LEGENDRE TRANSFORMS IN CHEMICAL THERMODYNAMICS
> >               (IUPAC Technical Report)
> >             Prepared for publication by
> >                 ROBERT A. ALBERTY
> >
> >                 Pure Appl. Chem.,
> >         Vol. 73, No. 8, pp. 1349-1380, 2001.
> >
> > That article states, as if it were an established fact,
> > that the equation
> >
> >       dU = TdS - PdV ...             [1]
> >
> > is "the" fundamental equation for the energy U. <snip>
> >
> > The paper goes on to assert that
> >
> >      "The variables in the differentials on the right-hand
> >      side of the fundamental equation have a special
> >      significance and are referred to as natural variables"
> >
> > and cites almost a dozen references.
> >
> > I disagree with this conclusion even more strongly than
> > I disagreed with "the fundamental equation".
>
> Interesting that you mention that paper, because a chemist friend
> recently cited that exact paper to me and told me that he was still
> confused about Legendre transforms and could I explain it to him more
> simply?
>
> In reply I wrote:
>
> http://usna.edu/Users/physics/mungan/Scholarship/LegendreTransform.pdf
>
> and would glady accept your (or other folks) comments on it. -Carl
> --
> Carl E Mungan, Assoc Prof of Physics  410-293-6680 (O) -3729 (F)
> Naval Academy Stop 9c, 572C Holloway Rd, Annapolis MD 21402-1363
> mailto:mungan@usna.edu     http://usna.edu/Users/physics/mungan/
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