Temperature, Energy and the First Law of Thermodynamics - Book Report/Review Example

Comparative Critical Review Physics for Scientists and Engineers, Paul A. Tipler & Gene Mosca In chapter 24 of his book whose focus is on thermodynamics, Tipler and Gene start by defining and explaining what this term means. Based on Tipler and Gene (2007) book, it refers to the energy in relation to its effects on a system. They go ahead and state some of the information, which readers will study in the chapter such as internal energy, heat and work (Tipler & Gene, 2007, p. 296). The manner in which Tipler and Gene begin the chapter is quite elaborative to the readers and simple. This is because of appropriately defining the topic such that readers are capable of obtaining the relayed concepts regarding thermodynamics before they even major into the course. After ensuring that they have provided adequate knowledge to readers on what they should expect, Tipler and Gene shifts to the main course study. Tipler and Gene first talk about heat and temperature. They start by stating that these two terms were rather contradictory promoting confusion among most people to have issues when using them. Because of this, they begin by distinguishing the two terms. This is to make the two terms more comprehensible whereby they use a cartoon seated in a bathtub holding a lighted matchstick. Apart from using cartoon images, Tipler also involves the reader by asking rhetorical questions such as, “Which needed more energy to heat?...(Tipler & Gene, 2007)” By using diagrams and rhetorical questions, Tipler and Gene’s motive is to ensure that readers are able to grasp the content, since diagrams normally relay information much faster hence quick comprehension. The authors also talk about internal energy whose usual symbol is U. based on their content, internal energy is a random molecular energy normally measured in joules (j). they give an example of a solid continually heated by a Bunsen burner, where they state atoms subjected to heat normally vibrate on their inter-atomic bonds. They further go ahead and use a graph chart showing the behavioral changes of matter when heat is applied onto it. According to Tipler and Gene (297), whenever the internal energy of a system increases it results to an elevation in temperature leading to the alteration of matter’s state such as solids melt to liquid whereas liquid into gas. Tipler and Gene state that a cooked potato usually undergoes some changes; this is due to the rapid exchange of joules in and of the potato such that while 100 joules of energy go into the potato, similarly 90 joules come out (Tipler & Gene, 2007, p. 297). For better comprehension, they have utilized more examples with the aid of symbols. For instance, they state that ∆U is signifies internal energy. Therefore, a –ve ∆U occurs when internal energy declines from the system, similarly, when a system receives more internal energy it results to a +ve ∆U. ∆U= Energy input - Energy output ∆U=100 j - 90 j ∆U= + 10 j In the next topic, Tipler and Gene talk about heating and working whereby they expound further on thermodynamics. Using a systematic approach, they first outline the main difference between heating and working followed by the laws associated with thermodynamics. In these categories, apart from discussing, the authors also use symbols and equations, which are usually easy to comprehend. The authors’ mode of narration is quite recommendable; this is because of the easy grammar understandable to the readers. Apart from easy grammar, the author also uses many examples and small notes that act as extensions of information. According to Tipler and Gene, heating is the process of energy conveyance in relation to heat. For instance, when a cold spoon is put in hot tea, there is usually energy transmittance from one body to the second. That is, while hot tea heats the spoon, similarly, the spoon cools the tea. Conversely, working also involves energy conveyance but unlike heating, there is no heat involved. For instance, when a person pushes a heavy load, the load and the ground have similar temperatures but the load normally become hotter when pushed on the ground. In this case, the internal energy of the load increases due to continuous friction with the ground augments. According to Tipler and Gene, whereas the symbol of energy received by work is ∆W, similarly, the symbol obtained from heating is ∆Q. systematically; this leads to the next topic, which is on thermodynamics laws. The authors state that the 1st thermodynamics law is usually on energy conservation. The author further states if energy is put in a system, this normally results to energy increasing. ∆U =∆Q + ∆W Apart from the first law, it is also the 0th law of dynamics whereby Tipler and Gene state that this is because there are some situations where no energy transfer takes place. By giving the example of a fish in a bowl, the author states that since the fish is cold blooded, there is usually no exchange of energy since they are at the same temperature with water. Massachusetts Institute of Technology The source starts by defining the term temperature and stating that it is the hotness or coldness of something. It further states that when a cold object contacts a hot one, there is normally transfer of energy between the two such that the cold object warms up while the hot one cools down, the process continues until the two objects reach equilibrium (MIT, 2004, p. 2). According to MIT, temperature can be termed as the quantitative description of a system’s hotness or coldness. This is a recommendable way to start a topic since it helps readers be in a position to know the definition of terms before starting intensive coverage of the topic. After proper definition of the term temperature, the site systematically starts elaborating it by stating that it is the measure of energy. There are three types of energy; kinetic, potential and mechanical energies, which are directly associated with temperature. The author then talks more on heat by stating that it normally results when two bodies that initially had different temperatures come to a contact. When the two bodies contact, this normally results to transfer of heat. Heat is usually the energy transferred between the two bodies and its common symbol is Q (MIT, 2004). The method used is quite systematic and this is a better technique to use since it is not complicated hence easy to comprehend and implement. In the next topic, the article majors on laws of thermodynamics. It begins with the 0th law of thermodynamics, which according to MIT, occurs when two systems are in thermal equilibrium with one another. Next, the article talks about the 1st law of equilibrium, which is normally responsible for energy conservation. With the aid of a diagram, the article expounds more on the relationship between heat, work and internal energy. For better understanding, the article also involves the use of equations, which normally enable the reader to comprehend the topic of study. For instance, Q=W+ ∆U = W + U f – U i whereby, Q represents heat added, W is work done while U is the system’s internal energy. Q and W are processes while U is a state variable. For further comprehension on work, the article stated that W =F ∆x =p A ∆x=p ∆V After successfully elaborating on the laws of thermodynamics, the article goes ahead to the next topic, which is on internal energy. Basing on equipartitions, the site states that each coordinate of a particle is equal to ½ m = ½ m = ½ KBT Similarly, for an ideal monoatomic gas, U (T) = 3/2 N k T whereas U (T) = 5/2 N k T can be used for a proper diatomic molecular gas (MIT, 2004, p. 17). Comparative Evaluation In my opinion, Tipler and Gene’s book was more useful than the MIT website. This is because it is easy to comprehend compared to the website. First, the language used by both the book and the website are quite difference. Whereas the grammar used by Tipler and Gene is simple and easy to comprehend, the website has used a rather complex grammar making some of the topics rather complex to understand. Second, the number examples used by both sources also differs. For instance, the book uses many examples in all the topics covered while the website has only used few examples not expounded properly for easy comprehension by readers. In the beginning of the chapter, Tipler and Gene start the by defining the term thermodynamics as the study of energy in relation to its effects on a system. This is a recommendable way of beginning a topic since the reader is in apposition to gain insight on what the topic will cover before he or she finally majors into the topic. Whereas, the book begins with what the reader is expected to cover in the chapter, the website does not; instead, it goes straight to the topic and starts to define terms. Another factor that makes the book stronger than the website is because of its interaction with the reader. For instance, the authors use rhetorical questions in addition to many diagrams and equations. These are of great benefit to the reader since through them, readers are in a position to have a passion to learn more. Conversely, apart from being dynamic, the article is also not interactive to readers; this is because it does not have any form of rhetorical questions or interesting diagrams like the book. References MIT. (2004). Temperature, Energy and the First Law of Thermodynamics. [Online]. Available at: [Accessed on 10 May 2014] Tipler, P. A., & Mosca, G. (2007). Physics for scientists and engineers. Basingstoke, Palgrave Macmillan. Read More