Re: [Phys-l] The Abysmal Foundations of Thermodynamics

["Jeffrey Schnick" <JSchnick@Anselm.Edu>]

> -----Original Message-----
> From: phys-l-bounces@carnot.physics.buffalo.edu [mailto:phys-l-
> bounces@carnot.physics.buffalo.edu] On Behalf Of Derek McKenzie
> Sent: Tuesday, December 07, 2010 2:33 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?

I'd Recommend Six Ideas That Shaped Physics by Thomas A. Moore (designed
for use in a calculus-based introductory physics course).  Most of the
thermodynamics is in Unit T: Some Processes Are Irreversible of the 6
volume work, but there's quite a bit in Unit C: Conservation Laws
Constrain Interactions.  The author's name has recently appeared in
Phys-l twice: he is one of the authors of a paper containing a figure
refered to us (in a discussion about thermodynamics) by John Denker in
< https://carnot.physics.buffalo.edu/archives/2010/12_2010/msg00114.html
> ;
in fact the figure to which John Denker refered us is very similar to
figure T6.2 on page 97 of the 2nd edition of Unit T; and Moore's Six
Ideas book is listed in the reference citations in the article Carl
Mungan referred us to in his post:
< https://carnot.physics.buffalo.edu/archives/2010/12_2010/msg00116.html
>

> 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.
>
> All the best,
>
> Derek
>
>
>
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