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Entropy for Biologists

An Introduction to Thermodynamics

1st Edition - January 1, 1970

Author: Harold Morowitz

eBook ISBN:

9 7 8 - 0 - 3 2 3 - 1 6 0 1 4 - 8

Entropy for Biologists: An Introduction to Thermodynamics provides an introduction to the fundamental concepts of thermodynamics for biologists. It begins with discussions of… Read more

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Entropy for Biologists: An Introduction to Thermodynamics provides an introduction to the fundamental concepts of thermodynamics for biologists. It begins with discussions of basic principles such as temperature, energy, kinetic theory, total energy, the second law of thermodynamics, and entropy. It then reviews conceptual tools from probability theory, combinatorial analysis, and information theory, which are essential to understanding elementary statistical mechanics. The remaining chapters present formulations for the relation between statistical mechanics and thermodynamics; the relationship between entropy and information; free-energy functions; and thermal energy. Measurements of temperature, energy, and thermochemical quantities are covered. The final chapter discusses the biological implications of the relation between entropy and information. This book is intended for graduate and advanced undergraduate students of biology and biochemistry who wish to develop a sense of confidence about their understanding of the thermal physics which will be useful in pursuing their work. It may also prove useful to professionals who wish to bolster their knowledge in this area.

PrefaceI. Temperature A. Introduction B. Physiological Temperature C. Empirical Thermometers D. Gas-Law Thermometers ProblemsII. Energy A. Mechanical Energy B. Conservation Of Energy C. Thermal Energy ProblemsIII. Introduction to Kinetic Theory ProblemsIV. Total Energy A. The Measurability of Energy B. The First Law of Thermodynamics ProblemsV. The Second Law of Thermodynamics A. Heat Engines and Refrigerators B. Statements of the Second Law C. Carnot Cycles D. Carnot Theorems E. The Thermodynamic Temperature Scale ProblemsVI. The Entropy Function A. State Functions B. Integrals Of dQ C. Properties of the Entropy Function D. The Measurability of Entropy E. The Third Law of Thermodynamics F. Entropy and Chemical Reactions ProblemsVII. Probability and Information A. Probability B. Information Theory ProblemsVIII. Introduction to Statistical Mechanics A. The Statistical Point of View B. The Quantum Mechanical Description of Systems C. The Ensemble Approach D. The Most Probable Distribution E. The Maxwell-Boltzmann Distribution ProblemsIX. The Relation between Statistical Mechanics and Thermodynamics A. Equivalent Formulations B. The Partition Function C. Helmholtz Free Energy D. Classical Statistical Mechanics E. Velocity Distribution Function F. Internal Degrees of Freedom ProblemsX. Entropy, Information, and Energy A. Information and Entropy B. Maxwell's Demon ProblemsXI. Free-Energy Functions A. Gibbs Free Energy B. Helmholtz Free Energy C. Generalized Energy Function D. Enthalpy and Standard States E. The Euler Equation F. Activity G. The Use of Alternate Methods ProblemsXII. Thermal Energy A. Order and Disorder B. Diffusion C. Brownian Motion ProblemsXIII. Applications of the Gibbs Free Energy and the Gibbs Chemical Potential A. Electrochemistry B. Surface Chemistry C. The Phase Rule D. Osmotic Pressure ProblemsXIV. Measurement in Thermal PhysicsXV. Entropy and BiologyAppendix I. Conservation of Mechanical Energy: General TreatmentAppendix II. The Proof of the Equivalence of the Perfect-Gas Temperature Scale and the Absolute Thermodynamic Temperature ScaleAppendix III. Entropy of a Perfect GasAppendix IV. Stirling's ApproximationAppendix V. Evaluation of the Partition Function of a Perfect GasIndex