4 June 2004

Engines, Energy, and Entropy: A Thermodynamics Primer

John B. Fenn. ISBN 0-9660813-8-2.

Reviewed by Mike Dziekan. Connecticut Analytical Corporation

John Fenn was awarded the Nobel Prize in chemistry in December 2002 for his work in electrospray ionization and its applications in mass spectrometry. His sharp wit, knowledge of historical events and sense of humor blend together quite well in this primer on thermodynamics. What is usually a very dry and "nap inducing" subject, seems to come alive and engage the reader by presenting a new outlook about the inner workings of what we so often have blindly taken for granted in the world of physics and chemistry. One really nice feature of this book is the fact that the earliest discoveries and conclusions formulated throughout history are brought to life as the reader passes form one discovery to the next.

The book is arranged in thirteen well planned chapters, with sample problems, chapter highlights and reader exercises placed at the end of every chapter to test the reader's recall and comprehension. There are also several appendices designed to clear the cobwebs from our memories about forgotten details about subjects such as logarithms, mechanical properties and units.

Too often we may find ourselves rapidly buzzing through calculation after calculation without asking that all-important question: Do the units make sense? I must admit that I have fallen into the mathematical complacency trap, and ended up with answers having impossible units.

You don't have to be a chemist, physicist or mathematician to understand the material presented in this thermodynamics primer. One feature of the book that will appeal to non-scientific readers is Charlie the caveman. This cartoon character runs throughout the entire book as he struggles to understand basic thermodynamic principles that we take for granted. Charlie even gets himself into trouble with fire-breathing dinosaurs now and then.

Readers who are sure that they understand everything that there is to know about thermodynamics may find themselves pleasantly surprised from time to time, as new insight is revealed, or a previously unknown historical connection is made. I know that I was very surprised at some of the historical connections that were presented.

Basic concepts that we accept without much thought are brought under scrutiny. For example, if I were to ask someone whether it is hot or cold in a room, they would certainly answer one way or the other. I would further ask, how do you quantify that? In fact, the second chapter is entitled, "How hot is hot?" Without a store bought thermometer, how would you convey the temperature of a room? How would you explain what temperature is? Why is the scale on your home thermometer marked the way it is? What does the National Institute of Standards use for a temperature standard? What is Count Rumford's real name?

Questions like these are addressed in this book. After all, we know why the Fahrenheit scale is marked the way it is. Right? If not, I strongly suggest that you read this book. In keeping with its theme, I can safely suggest that the amount of work needed to understand the book will not consume a great quantity of energy!