Check out the text:
"Thermodynamics an introduction . . . ", Herbert B Callen, John Wiley &
Sons, New York, 1960.
Bob Sciamanda
Physics, Edinboro Univ of PA (Em)
treborsci@verizon.net http://mysite.verizon.net/res12merh/
-----Original Message-----
From: Derek McKenzie
Sent: Tuesday, December 07, 2010 2:32 AM
To: physl
Subject: [Phys-l] The Abysmal Foundations of Thermodynamics
For some years now I have been frustrated by the lack of a text providing an
intellectually rigorous and satisfying foundation for Thermodynamics. The
subjects brought up frequently on this list reinforce this frustration.
Although all branches of physics are, IMHO, generally taught poorly, one can
find, if determined, a handful of excellent treatments of most physics
topics in text books and journal articles, however Thermodynamics seems to
me to be an exception.
John Denker's notes are an excellent resource, but obviously not intended to
be the sort of self-contained treatise I am looking for. I recently came
across a text that is incredibly thorough in intent, but which differs so
much from convention that I'm not sure if I can trust it or not. It's called
'Thermodynamics - Foundations and Applications' by Elias P. Gyftopoulos and
Gian Paolo Beretta. I'd be very interested in hearing what any of you have
to say about that work.
To get to my point, can any of you please refer me to a text, or a
collection of journal articles, or even a website, that treats
Thermodynamics with the logical consistency and conceptual clarity that is
missing from virtually every resource I have ever encountered?
Failing that, can John Denker please tell me when he is going to write one?
;-)
I am EXTREMELY keen to hear your thoughts on this one, as it is a glaring
hole in physics education at the moment.