Four Laws That Drive the Universe (Very Short Introductions)

Thermodynamics is by no means an easy subject to understand, with all its abstractness and subtleties. The proper textbooks out there on the subject all leave a lot to be desired in terms of making the subject easy to understand. Atkins attempts to remedy these problems with this small book, and I think he succeeds to some extent. Without using a lot of math and graphs, Atkins introduces the four laws of classical thermodynamics, from both a "normal" (continuum?) perspective and a molecular perspective. The text is organized very logically. The examples given certainly illustrate the point, but aren't expressed in the context of everyday occurrences enough such that a non-scientific reader could easily follow along. The tone of writing is very pleasant and not at all dry, so that while not a gripping read, you certainly won't dread turning the pages.I do think that this book lacks a well-defined audience; some points are practically spoon-fed to you, while others assume you've taken a university-level course on thermo before. Those of us that use thermodynamics (physics, engineering, chemistry, etc., and all of the sub-disciplines within) each approach the subject matter a little differently, so I appreciate that a truly general approach to thermodynamics is not a trivial undertaking. However, I think that the text would be better if more focused for either those with or those without some university experience. Regardless of the minor short-comings, I heartily recommend this book as a refresher on the laws of thermodynamics, or as a companion to a course on thermodynamics, regardless of your discipline.

Let me quote Sir Arthur Stanley Eddington here:"The law that entropy always increase..(lots about it in Atkins book)..-the second law of thermodynamics - HOLDS, I think, the supreme position among the Laws of Nature. If someone points out to you that your pet theory of the universe is in disagreement with Maxwell's equations - then so much the worse for Maxwell's equations. If it is found to be contradicted by observers - well, these experimentalists do bungle things sometimes. But if your theory is found to be against the second law of thermodynamics, I can give you no hope; there is nothing for it but to collapse in deepest humiliation".Professor Atkins delivers short but kaleidoscopic and effective lecture just about above mentioned conviction. Lecture will be useful for many - students as well as for readers who left school long time ago (this is me) but like to get into popular cosmology/physics books with clear understanding of the most important topic in science - thermodynamics.It is worth to mention briefly here, that the original formulation of the second law is not the ultimate truth. This book teaches only about classical thermodynamics, where actually systems are in equilibrium (nothing changes). Professor Atkins admits it in Conclusion at the end. But there is also non-equilibrium, linear thermodynamics that applies to things moving towards equilibrium (dissipative processes like thermodiffusion) and the fourth thermodynamics law (called "reciprocal relations") as a corollary of it. John Gribbin sheds some light on it in his fascinating and highly recommended popular-science new book : "Deep Simplicity - Bringing Order to Chaos and Complexity".

I taught Chemical Thermodynamics, and recommended this book to my students. The basic ideas of thermodynamics and statistical mechanics are so very different from most other areas of physics, such as mechanics, relativity, or quantum mechanics that people fail to appreciate the beauty, power, and importance of this subject.When we study a subject, we must understand the basic principles of the subject. This idea is stressed in  Teaching and Helping Students Think and Do Better: Things to Help Students Think and To Do Better in School and In Life  and  Rational Thinking, Government Policies, Science, and Living . Rational thinking starts with clearly stated principles, continues with logical deductions, and then examines empirical evidence to possibly modify the principles. Atkin's book discusses the strange principles of thermodynamics.The book is thin, but thought provoking and worthwhile.

I received this book and its like new. Definitely worth the money.

I will recommend this book to anyone interested in the four laws of our universe and the physical laws that affect our every day lives here on earth. I have read about the topic of this book by other authors but this author has made the subject readable and interesting. My favorite law is the LAW of entropy which we can't escape from. I keep imagining that most if not all the secrets of the cosmos can be explained by the four laws. This book is great reading for students and science buffs like me - maybe even scientists.

I don't usually like non-fiction books, but this one does a great job of breaking down the essentials of thermodynamics. It's certainly not a textbook, but it is a nice supplemental text. Thermodynamics isn't the most reader friendly topic in the world, so the fact that the author can keep it interesting is a feat.Probably not a book I'd ever pick up just for the heck of it, but if you've got to read it, don't worry, it's not that bad.

This is a short book about the laws of thermodynamics. It is a very straightforward read and it helps guide one understand the laws of thermodynamics whether you are in a thermodynamics class or not. I would recommend it to anyone of high school age or older trying to get a more vivid description of thermodynamics.

As an undergraduate Chemistry student and as a lover of Physical Chemistry this book is a Masterpiece. The writing style of the author and the Thermodynamics knowledge explaied in a perfectly understandable way, make this book a wonderful reading. No matter if you are not a science guy, the language used is so clear that you will get a real understanding about the most important and astonishing laws of Physics and Chemistry, aimed to understand the Universe.

I bought this book about a month and a half ago, and I finally finished reading it today (though I didn't spend a month and a half reading it, I just have been very busy), and I have found that it has explained everything in enough detail for my simple post-GCSE mind, as I am currently studying my first year of A levels and many concepts within the book had only been briefly touched upon, however I found it very interesting a read and I have found it quite useful as now as I am going along the course I have found that I already know some things or why something is the way it is. I found the way Atkins explained everything very informative and easy to follow and it was certainly a good book to start off my wider reading.

Can't praise this enough. Peter Atkins is a great writer and easy to read. So you should read this, and re-read it t get a good feel for the significance of the four laws (of thermodynamics) and their place in understanding this universe. Get this and his Galileo's Finger.And if you watch him on youtube he's pretty direct and doesn't take any nonsense. His chemistry books are good too.

Great read would recommend it.

Perfect

Tralasciando la trattazione più formale ed onerosa dell'argomento, l'autore conduce il lettore lungo un percorso molto chiaro ed interessante alla scoperta delle 4 leggi della termodinamica. In alcune parti diventa un po' più tecnico ma, anche con l'ausilio di qualche semplice esempio numerico riferito a casi più o meno famigliari e quotidiani, vengono resi accessibili concetti apparentemente complicati ed astratti. Sicuramente un background tecnico può aiutare nella lettura e nella comprensione del libro che comunque rimane un valido ripasso informale per chi già conosce l'argomento ed una buona introduzione per chi, per studio o per semplice curiosità, intende avvicinarsi alla termodinamica.