Thermodynamics of Natural Systems
Thermodynamics of Natural Systems
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Thermodynamics deals with energy levels and energy transfers between states of matter, and is therefore fundamental to all branches of science. This new edition provides an accessible introduction to the subject, specifically tailored to the interests of Earth and environmental science students. Beginning at an elementary level, the first four chapters explain all necessary concepts via a simple graphical approach. Throughout the rest of the book, the author emphasizes the importance of field observations and demonstrates that, despite being derived from idealized circumstances, thermodynamics is crucial to understanding ore formation, acid mine drainage, and other real-world geochemical and geophysical problems. Exercises now follow each chapter, with answers provided at the end of the book. An associated website includes extra chapters and password-protected answers to additional problems. This textbook is ideal for undergraduate and graduate students studying geochemistry and environmental science.
- Offers specially tailored treatment of thermodynamics for Earth and environmental science students
- Provides a more streamlined and accessible introduction for students with little prior knowledge of thermodynamics
- Uses examples and problem sets to highlight the connection between the idealized theory of thermodynamics and real-world geological and environmental problems
- Includes additional web resources, such as chapters on more advanced topics and password-protected solutions to problems in the book
Reviews & endorsements
‘The beauty and power of this book is how Greg Anderson shows us, in rigorous yet practical and pictorial terms, how we can learn about the fundamental behaviour of our complex planet from classical thermodynamics alone. Anderson conveys this … with fervor, with humor and with many calculated examples - which all emphasize that asking the right question is the key to meaningful simplification, and to answers that capture the essence of complex natural systems.’ Christoph A. Heinrich, Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule Zürich, Switzerland
‘Thermodynamics is one of the most universal scientific disciplines … But being so universal also requires it to be introduced and taught very differently to students in such diverse fields of science. This 3rd edition is a really welcome and timely book in this context. The book introduces and discusses the most important concepts of equilibrium thermodynamics in their specific applications to geological and environmental sciences. The author has made particular efforts to only use minimum necessary formal mathematical apparatus to present the thermodynamic laws and relationships. However, this is carefully done without any oversimplification or loss of physical accuracy … The textbook can be recommended as a very good introductory course in thermodynamics for undergraduate geoscience and environmental science students.’ Andrey G. Kalinichev, École des Mines de Nantes, France
Product details
June 2017Hardback
9781107175211
428 pages
253 × 193 × 23 mm
1.09kg
141 b/w illus.
Available
Table of Contents
- Preface
- 1. What is thermodynamics?
- 2. Defining our terms
- 3. The First Law of Thermodynamics
- 4. The Second Law of Thermodynamics
- 5. Getting data
- 6. Some simple applications
- 7. Solutions
- 8. Fugacity and activity
- 9. The equilibrium constant
- 10. Rock-water systems
- 11. Redox reactions
- 12. Phase diagrams
- 13. Affinity and extent of reaction
- Appendix A. Constants and numerical values
- Appendix B. Standard state properties
- Appendix C. Answers to exercises
- References
- Index
- Online material: real solutions
- The phase rule
- Equations of state
- Solid solutions
- Electrolyte solutions
- The Van't Hoff equilibrium box
- Topics in mathematics.
