Second Law: Coll.Pa

I graduated as mechanical engineer and I still do not grasp the 2nd Law. This is wonderful book for those of us confused and frustrated. Its from Scientiffic American, I guess I can't go wrong.

Atkins does the best job I know of to explain the goals and principles of thermodynamics to the layman. He is a great pedagogue, and his book is wonderful. It is neither simplistic nor arcane. It is a non mathematical introduction to thermodynamics, with the advantages and the obvious limitations of such an approach. At the outset Atkins warns us that mathematics are a tool to help us describe scientifically the world, a very powerful tool indeed, but not more. And at first it is better to get a first glimpse of thermodynamics without this tool. Then for those interested in going further mathematics become indispensable. Atkins book, I hope, will spurr many vocations ; many great physicists of the future will fondly remember Atkins book as their first marvellous introduction to the beauties of thermodynamics.

The '2nd Law' is, of course, the second law of thermodynamics. This reference has the advantage over typical thermodynamic books in being nonmathematical, and very appropriate reading for the general reader.

This book is an example that science can indeed be very poetic and beautiful, and not need to be dull and boring. It is a joy to read, and I learned more about entropy reading this book than I did during my five years at the university. Highly recommended!

Quite a few students of chemistry and physics share a certain anxiety when it comes to thermodynamics. The word brings to mind an endless maze of partial differential equations and vague, hard-to-grasp concepts like path integrals and entropy. Entropy is a fundamental concept in nature, arguably even THE most fundamental. Regular courses in thermodynamics do not sufficiently highlight this fact. Worse, quite a few of those courses actually turn students away from the beautiful properties of entropy. Atkins' book can change all that. First of all, it is utterly comprehensible for any and all interested readers. After careful study, the reader will know more of entropy that the average college student fresh out of a thermodynamics course. Added to that, the reader will appreciate the crucial role of entropy in nature. If you're in college and are likely to run into thermodynamics, get this book and read it prior to your course. If you're out of college and still think that thermodynamics is a dirty word, this book will set you straight. It might even ensnare you to the beautiful world of entropy.