Thermodynamics Of Natural Systems

Fully updated, this streamlined new textbook is an accessible introduction to thermodynamics for Earth and environmental scientists, emphasising real-world problems.

Thermodynamics deals with energy levels and the transfer of energy between states of matter, and is therefore fundamental to all branches of science. This edition provides a relatively advanced treatment of the subject, specifically tailored for the interests of the Earth sciences. The first four chapters explain all necessary concepts, using a simple graphical approach. Throughout the rest of the book the author emphasizes the use of thermodynamics to construct mathematical simulations of real systems. This helps to make the many abstract concepts acceptable. Many computer programs are mentioned and used throughout the text, especially SUPCRT92, a widely used source of thermodynamic data. An associated website includes links to useful information sites and computer programs and problem sets. Building on the more elementary material in the first edition, this textbook will be ideal for advanced undergraduate and graduate students in geology, geochemistry, geophysics and environmental science.

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.

An accessible book for graduate students and researchers that describes how the laws of thermodynamics apply to Earth system processes.

Natural phenomena consist of simultaneously occurring transport processes and chemical reactions. These processes may interact with each other and may lead to self-organized structures, fluctuations, instabilities, and evolutionary systems. Nonequilibrium Thermodynamics, Third Edition emphasizes the unifying role of thermodynamics in analyzing the natural phenomena. This third edition updates and expands on the first and second editions by focusing on the general balance equations for coupled processes of physical, chemical, and biological systems. The new edition contains a new chapter on stochastic approaches to include the statistical thermodynamics, mesoscopic nonequilibrium thermodynamics, fluctuation theory, information theory, and modeling the coupled biochemical systems in thermodynamic analysis. This new addition also comes with more examples and practice problems. Informs and updates on all the latest developments in the field Contributions from leading authorities and industry experts A useful text for seniors and graduate students from diverse engineering and science programs to analyze some nonequilibrium, coupled, evolutionary, stochastic, and dissipative processes Highlights fundamentals of equilibrium thermodynamics, transport processes and chemical reactions Expands the theory of nonequilibrium thermodynamics and its use in coupled transport processes and chemical reactions in physical, chemical, and biological systems Presents a unified analysis for transport and rate processes in various time and space scales Discusses stochastic approaches in thermodynamic analysis including fluctuation and information theories Has 198 fully solved examples and 287 practice problems An Instructor Resource containing the Solution Manual can be obtained from the author: [email protected]

The authors look to the laws of thermodynamics for answers to the questions of evolution, ecology, economics, and even life's origin.