A Farewell to Entropy

Statistical Thermodynamics Based on Information

Nonfiction, Science & Nature, Science, Physics, Thermodynamics, Chemistry, Physical & Theoretical
Cover of the book A Farewell to Entropy by Arieh Ben-Naim, World Scientific Publishing Company
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Arieh Ben-Naim ISBN: 9789814338288
Publisher: World Scientific Publishing Company Publication: January 18, 2008
Imprint: WSPC Language: English
Author: Arieh Ben-Naim
ISBN: 9789814338288
Publisher: World Scientific Publishing Company
Publication: January 18, 2008
Imprint: WSPC
Language: English

The principal message of this book is that thermodynamics and statistical mechanics will benefit from replacing the unfortunate, misleading and mysterious term “entropy” with a more familiar, meaningful and appropriate term such as information, missing information or uncertainty. This replacement would facilitate the interpretation of the “driving force” of many processes in terms of informational changes and dispel the mystery that has always enshrouded entropy.

It has been 140 years since Clausius coined the term “entropy”; almost 50 years since Shannon developed the mathematical theory of “information” — subsequently renamed “entropy”. In this book, the author advocates replacing “entropy” by “information”, a term that has become widely used in many branches of science.

The author also takes a new and bold approach to thermodynamics and statistical mechanics. Information is used not only as a tool for predicting distributions but as the fundamental cornerstone concept of thermodynamics, held until now by the term “entropy”.

The topics covered include the fundamentals of probability and information theory; the general concept of information as well as the particular concept of information as applied in thermodynamics; the re-derivation of the Sackur-Tetrode equation for the entropy of an ideal gas from purely informational arguments; the fundamental formalism of statistical mechanics; and many examples of simple processes the “driving force” for which is analyzed in terms of information.

Contents:

  • Elements of Probability Theory
  • Elements of Information Theory
  • Transition from the General MI to the Thermodynamic MI
  • The Structure of the Foundations of Statistical Thermodynamics
  • Some Simple Applications

Readership: Anyone interested in the sciences, students, researchers; as well as the layman.
Key Features:

  • A unified presentation of statistical thermodynamics based on the concept of information instead of entropy
  • A novel and original analysis of some elementary processes that leads to counter-intuitive conclusions
  • Accessible to any student of chemistry or physics as well as to any researcher in science
  • A deep and profound analysis of seemingly simple processes based on informational changes
  • Includes a novel analysis of the concepts of identity and ID of molecular particles
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart

The principal message of this book is that thermodynamics and statistical mechanics will benefit from replacing the unfortunate, misleading and mysterious term “entropy” with a more familiar, meaningful and appropriate term such as information, missing information or uncertainty. This replacement would facilitate the interpretation of the “driving force” of many processes in terms of informational changes and dispel the mystery that has always enshrouded entropy.

It has been 140 years since Clausius coined the term “entropy”; almost 50 years since Shannon developed the mathematical theory of “information” — subsequently renamed “entropy”. In this book, the author advocates replacing “entropy” by “information”, a term that has become widely used in many branches of science.

The author also takes a new and bold approach to thermodynamics and statistical mechanics. Information is used not only as a tool for predicting distributions but as the fundamental cornerstone concept of thermodynamics, held until now by the term “entropy”.

The topics covered include the fundamentals of probability and information theory; the general concept of information as well as the particular concept of information as applied in thermodynamics; the re-derivation of the Sackur-Tetrode equation for the entropy of an ideal gas from purely informational arguments; the fundamental formalism of statistical mechanics; and many examples of simple processes the “driving force” for which is analyzed in terms of information.

Contents:

Readership: Anyone interested in the sciences, students, researchers; as well as the layman.
Key Features:

More books from World Scientific Publishing Company

Cover of the book Evidence-based Clinical Chinese Medicine by Arieh Ben-Naim
Cover of the book PublicPrivate Relationships in Trade Policy-making by Arieh Ben-Naim
Cover of the book The Global Challenge of Malaria by Arieh Ben-Naim
Cover of the book Mechanics and Mechatronics (ICMM2015) by Arieh Ben-Naim
Cover of the book Functional Calculi by Arieh Ben-Naim
Cover of the book The Changing Face of Innovation by Arieh Ben-Naim
Cover of the book Understanding Advanced Chemistry Through Problem Solving by Arieh Ben-Naim
Cover of the book Stem Cells by Arieh Ben-Naim
Cover of the book China Through American Eyes by Arieh Ben-Naim
Cover of the book Elements of Stochastic Modelling by Arieh Ben-Naim
Cover of the book Astrophysics and the Evolution of the Universe by Arieh Ben-Naim
Cover of the book Lectures on Convex Sets by Arieh Ben-Naim
Cover of the book Noncommutative Geometry and Physics 3 by Arieh Ben-Naim
Cover of the book Orbitals by Arieh Ben-Naim
Cover of the book Healthcare Policies and Systems in Europe and China by Arieh Ben-Naim
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy