Commentary on the Principles of Thermodynamics by Pierre Duhem (Boston Studies in the Philosophy and History of Science Book 277)

Annotation Pierre Duhem (1861€“1916) held the chair of theoretical physics at Bordeaux from 1894 to his death. He established a reputation in both the history and philosophy of science as well as in science itself (physics and physical chemistry). Much of his work in the first two areas has been translated into English, but little of his technical scientific work. The present volume contains early work of Duhem€™s illustrating his interest in the rigorous development of physical theory for which he is famous. It opens with what was the first critical discussion of Gibbs€™ groundbreaking "On the Equilibrium of Heterogeneous Substances" (1876-8), where Duhem addressed the problem that, as he put it, "Mathematicians regret that the principles of Thermodynamics should have been developed in general with so little precision that the same proposition can be regarded by some as a consequence, and by others as a negation, of these principles". The other papers, forming a three-part series, pursue this project of putting the foundations of thermodynamics on a clearer and more secure basis. This book will be of interest to scholars in history and philosophy of science, especially those interested in the development of physical chemistry and the work of Pierre Duhem Introduction 5 References 10 Contents 12 Part I Study of the Thermodynamic Works of J. Willard Gibbs (1887) 15 1 An Examination of the Second Law of Thermodynamics 17 1.1 The Principle of the Equivalence of Heat and Work 17 1.2 Clausius' Postulate 19 1.3 The Carnot Cycle and the Postulate of Sir W. Thomson 20 1.4 Carnot's Theorem and Absolute Temperature 20 1.5 Entropy 29 1.6 Uncompensated Work, Thermodynamic Potential and Gibbs' Theorem 34 2 Historical Background and Principal Applications of Gibbs' Theory 37 2.1 Historical Background of Gibbs' Theory 37 2.2 Applications of Gibbs' Theory to Dissociation Phenomena 44 2.3 Application of Gibbs' Theory to the Voltaic Cell 46 Part II Commentary on the Principles of Thermodynamics: The Principle of the Conservation of Energy (1892) 49 Introduction 49 3 Preliminary Definitions 51 3.1 On Absolute Motion 51 3.2 On Bodies and Mixtures or Combinations 52 3.3 On Bodies Isolated in Space 53 3.4 On the Variables Which Define the State and Movement of a System 53 3.5 On Independent Systems 57 3.6 On Temperature 60 4 The Principle of the Conservation of Energy 64 4.1 The MechanicalWork and the Energy of a System 64 4.2 The Kinetic Energy and the Internal Energy 69 4.3 The Principle of the Conservation of Energy 76 5 Work and Quantity of Heat 78 5.1 The Establishment of a Fundamental Equation 78 5.2 On Work 80 5.3 On the Quantity of Heat 86 5.4 The Classical Problem of Dynamics 90 5.5 Calorimetry 91 Part III Commentary on the Principles of Thermodynamics: The Principle of Sadi Carnot and R. Clausius (1893) 96 6 The Carnot Cycle and Reversible Changes 97 6.1 Virtual Changes 97 6.2 Cycles 98 6.3 A Real Cycle Can Reproduce Itself Indefinitely 99 6.4 Adiabatic, Exothermic and Endothermic Changes 100 6.5 Isothermal Changes: The Carnot Cycle 102 6.6 Simultaneous Independent Changes: Generalisation of the Carnot Cycle 103 6.7 Changes Which Are a Sequence of Equilibrium States 104 6.8 Reversible Changes 106 7 Carnot's Theorem and Absolute Temperature 110 7.1 The Hypotheses of Clausius and Sir W. Thomson 110 7.2 Addition to the Hypotheses of Clausius and Sir W. Thomson 111 7.3 Various Kinds of Carnot Cycles 111 7.4 Carnot's Theorem 113 7.5 Carnot's Theorem (Continued): The Use of Reversible Change 119 7.6 Absolute Temperature 125 7.7 A Definitive Statement of Carnot's Theorem 128 8 Entropy and Clausius' Theorem 131 8.1 Conditions and Hypotheses 131 8.2 Calorific Coefficients of the System at Equilibrium 134 8.3 Demonstration of Clausius' Theorem 136 8.4 A Property of Reversible Cycles 145 8.5 Entropy 147 8.6 On the Case Excepted from the preceding 148 Part IV Commentary on the Principles of Thermodynamics: The General Equations of Thermodynamics (1894) 151 9 Properties of a System at Equilibrium 152 9.1 The Internal Thermodynamic Potential 152 9.2 Properties of a System Formed from Several Independent Parts with the Same Temperature 154 9.3 The Fundamental Hypothesis; Normal Variables 161 9.4 The Problem of Equilibrium 163 10 Properties of a System in Motion 165 10.1 Meaning of the Word "Motion" 165 10.2 Motion of a System with the Same Temperature at All Points 165 10.3 Calorific Coefficients of a System in Motion 167 10.4 Fundamental Property of the Passive Resistances 169 10.5 Systems Without Viscosity 171 10.6 Systems Formed of Independent Parts with Different Temperatures 175 11 Connections 179 11.1 Bilateral and Unilateral Connections 179 11.2 The Internal Energy of a System with Connections 181 11.3 Entropy [244] and the Thermodynamic Potential of a System with Connections 183 11.4 Equilibrium of a System Subject to Bilateral Connections 183 11.5 Equilibrium of a System Subject to Unilateral Connections 187 11.6 Motion of a System with Uniform Temperature Subject to Bilateral Connections 189 11.7 Motion of a System Whose Various Parts, Taken to Different Temperatures, Are Subject to Bilateral Connections 192 11.8 Calorific Coefficients of a System Subject to Bilateral Connections 193 12 Stability and Displacement of Equilibrium 199 12.1 On the Total Thermodynamic Potential 199 12.2 Stability of the Equilibrium at Constant Temperature 200 12.3 Displacement of Equilibrium by a Variation of Temperature 201 12.4 Isothermal Displacement of Equilibrium 204 12.5 Isentropic Stability of the Equilibrium 206 12.6 Isentropic Displacement of Equilibrium 212 12.7 Specific Heat Under Constant Actions 214 Conclusion 218 Index 220 Translations Of Duhem's Early Work Developing The Foundations Of Termodynamics. Pt. 1. Study Of The Thermodynamic Works Of J. Willard Gibbs (1887) -- Pt. 2. Commentary On The Principles Of Thermodynamics : The Principle Of The Conservation Of Energy (1892) -- Pt. 3. Commentary On The Principles Of Thermodynamics : The Principle Of Sadi Carnot And R. Clausius (1893) -- Pt. 4. Commentary On The Principles Of Thermodynamics : The General Equations Of Thermodynamics (1894). By Pierre Duhem ; Edited And Translated, With An Introduction, By Paul Needham. Includes Bibliographical References And Index.