Vladislav Čápek, Daniel P. Sheehan (auth.)1402030150, 9781402030154
The second law of thermodynamics is considered one of the central laws of science, engineering and technology. For over a century it has been assumed to be inviolable by the scientific community. Over the last 10-20 years, however, more than two dozen challenges to it have appeared in the physical literature – more than during any other period in its 150-year history. The number and variety of these represent a cogent threat to its absolute status. This is the first book to document and critique these modern challenges. Written by two leading exponents of this rapidly emerging field, it covers the theoretical and experimental aspects of principal challenges. In addition, unresolved foundational issues concerning entropy and the second law are explored. This book should be of interest to anyone whose work or research is touched by the second law. |
Table of contents :
Entropy and the Second Law….Pages 1-34
Challenges (1870–1980)….Pages 35-52
Modern Quantum Challenges: Theory….Pages 53-116
Low-Temperature Experiments and Proposals….Pages 117-143
Modern Classical Challenges….Pages 145-174
Gravitational Challenges….Pages 175-209
Chemical Nonequilibrium Steady States….Pages 211-238
Plasma Paradoxes….Pages 239-266
MEMS/NEMS Devices….Pages 267-302
Special Topics….Pages 303-334 |
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