The subject of thermodynamics deals with energy and has long been an
essential part of engineering curricula all over the world. Its broad
application area ranges from microscopic organisms to common household
appliances, transportation vehicles, power generation systems, and even
philosophy. This introductory book contains sufficient material for two
sequential courses in thermodynamics, and students are assumed to have
an adequate background in calculus and physics.
A conscious effort is made to emphasize the basic principles of
thermodynamics while also providing students with a perspective of how
computational tools are used in engineering practice. The traditional
classical, or macroscopic, approach is used throughout the text, with
microscopic arguments serving in a supporting role as appropriate. This
approach is more in line with students' intuition and makes learning the
subject matter much easier.