Block by Block, Robert T. Hanlon
Block by Block, Robert T. Hanlon
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Block by Block
The Historical and Theoretical Foundations of Thermodynamics

Author: Robert T. Hanlon

Narrator: Paul Heitsch

Unabridged: 33 hr 47 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: Tantor Media

Published: 10/27/2020


Synopsis

At the heart of many fields—physics, chemistry, engineering—lies thermodynamics. While this science plays a critical role in determining the boundary between what is and is not possible in the natural world, it occurs to many as an indecipherable black box, thus making the subject a challenge to learn. Two obstacles contribute to this situation, the first being the disconnect between the fundamental theories and the underlying physics and the second being the confusing concepts and terminologies involved with the theories. While one needn't confront either of these two obstacles to successfully use thermodynamics to solve real problems, overcoming both provides access to a greater intuitive sense of the problems and more confidence, more strength, and more creativity in solving them.

Block by Block offers an original perspective on thermodynamic science and history based on the three approaches of a practicing engineer, academician, and historian. The book synthesizes and gathers into one accessible volume a strategic range of foundational topics involving the atomic theory, energy, entropy, and the laws of thermodynamics.

About Robert T. Hanlon

Robert T. Hanlon earned his ScD in chemical engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and subsequently conducted post-doctoral research at Karlsruhe University in Germany. His professional career took him to Mobil Oil Research & Development Corporation, the Rohm and Haas Company, and then back to MIT, where he is currently involved with their School of Chemical Engineering Practice.


Reviews

Goodreads review by George

If one is to write a history of thermodynamics one would basically have to cover the history of science in general considering just how fundamental the laws of thermodynamics are. Saying that I didn't expect the author to start with the Big Bang. All joking aside this is an incredibly thorough overvi......more

Goodreads review by Roberto

This book looks like a textbook but sounds like fireworks for your curious mind. Yeap, it is all about FIRE and WORK! A very entertaining account on how humans tamed fire to produce work and by consequence compiled the laws governing all natural phenomena, that is thermodynamics. The motivation come......more

Goodreads review by Maynard

An Engineer's history of Thermodynamics. This books promises all manner of things I find interesting: physics, history, how language channels abstract thought in unproductive directions. And mostly it delivers, enough so to win the coveted, and rarely awarded, five stars. Be aware that it will not be......more