Entropy: A Very Short Introduction

Binney, James

ISBN 10: 0198901488 / ISBN 13: 9780198901488

Verlag: Oxford University Press, 2025

Bestandsnummer des Verkäufers 9780198901488

Inhaltsangabe:

Very Short Introductions: Brilliant, Sharp, Inspiring

Until the middle of the nineteenth century entropy and energy were confused with one another. The intellectual fog slowly cleared and now these words name subtle and powerful concepts. Most people think they know what energy is, but few could define entropy.

This Very Short Introduction traces the emergence of entropy and energy as distinct concepts, and explains how entropy spread from thermodynamics into statistical mechanics, probability theory and data science. It explains the implications of entropy for heat pumps, solar cells, carbon capture, and liquified natural gas. Quantum mechanics and gravity open new horizons for entropy, and when combined in the quantum theory of black holes, they call into question our current understanding of material reality.


ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.

Über die Autorin bzw. den Autor: James Binney, FRS, is an astrophysicist at Oxford University. He is the co-author of The Physics of Quantum Mechanics (2013) with David Skinner, along with Astrophysics: A Very Short Introduction.

Bibliografische Details

Titel: Entropy: A Very Short Introduction
Verlag: Oxford University Press
Erscheinungsdatum: 2025
Einband: Softcover
Zustand: New