THE LAWS OF THERMODYNAMICS

From the sudden expansion of a cloud of gas or the cooling of a hot metal to the unfolding of a thought in our minds and even the course of life itself everything is governed by the four Laws of Thermodynamics These laws specify the nature of energy and temperature and are soon revealed to reach out and define the arrow of time itself why things change and why death must come In this Very Short Introduction Peter Atkins explains the basis and deeper implications of each law highlighting their relevance in everyday examples Using the minimum of mathematics he introduces concepts such as entropy free energy and to the brink and beyond of the absolute zero temperature These are not merely abstract ideas they govern our lives In this concise and compelling introduction Atkins paints a lucid picture of the four elegant laws that between them drive the Universe 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