Thermodynamics

Enrico Fermi (1901 - 1954) was an Italian-American physicist particularly known for his work on the development of the first nuclear reactor and for his contributions to the development of quantum theory, nuclear and particle physics, and statistical mechanics. He was awarded the 1938 Nobel Prize in Physics for his work on induced radioactivity. Fermi is widely regarded as one of the leading scientists of the 20th century, highly accomplished in both theory and experiment. Along with J. Robert Oppenheimer, he is frequently referred to as "the father of the atomic bomb." His lecture notes, especially those for quantum mechanics, nuclear physics, and thermodynamics, were transcribed into books which are still in print, including THERMODYNAMICS, which remains his most important publication. With his characteristic clarity, in this classic on Thermodynamics, Fermi explains the First and Second Laws of Thermodynamics, entropy, thermodynamic potentials, and much more. Contents Introduction Thermodynamic Systems The state of a system and its transformations. Ideal or perfect gases. The First Law of Thermodynamics The statement of the first law of thermodynamics. The application of the first law to systems whose states can be represented on a (V,p) diagram. The application of the first law to gases. Adiabatic transformation of a gas. The Second Law of Thermodynamics The statement of the second law of thermodynamics. The Carnot cycle. The absolute thermodynamic temperature. Thermal engines. The Entropy Some properties of cycles. The entropy. Some further properties of the entropy. The entropy of systems whose states can be represented on a (V,p) diagram. The Clapeyron equation. The Van der Waals equation. Thermodynamic Potentials The free energy. The thermodynamic potential at constant pressure. The phase rule. Thermodynamics of the reversible electric cell. Gaseous Reactions Chemical equilibria in gases. The Van't Hoff reaction box. Another proof of the equation of gaseous equilibria. Discussion of gaseous equilibria; the principle of Le Chatelier. The Thermodynamics of Dilute Solutions Dilute solutions. Osmotic pressure. Chemical equilibria in solutions. The distribution of a solute between two phases. The vapor pressure, the boiling point, and the freezing point of a solution. The Entropy Constant The Nernst theorem. Nernst's theorem applied to solids. The entropy constant of gases. Thermal ionization of a gas: the thermionic effect.