MT 202: Metallurgical Thermodynamics

Thermo: interesting stuff ...

Perhaps it is a good idea to start with a statement about thermo by none other than Uncle Albert himself, who said, "[Thermodynamics] is the only physical theory of universal content which, within the framework of the applicability of its basic concepts, I am convinced will never be overthrown". Hmmm .... Evidently, thermo is deep, universal, and full of gravitas. Even Homer Simpson agrees: "In this house, we OBEY the LAWS of THERMODYNAMICS!".

BTW, I found both these quotes right next to each other in the wikipedia on thermo. It is one of those rare cases where it is not clear whom to pity ... Anyways, let us take a look at some more interesting stuff that thermo lovers have come up with. I would appreciate pointers to more such stuff :

• David Goodstein starts his book "States of matter" (see the list of texts ) with the following:

  "Ludwig Boltzmann, who spent much of his life studying statistical mechanics, died in 1906, by his own hand. Paul Ehrenfest, carrying on the work, died similarly in 1933. Now it is our turn to study thermodynamics".

• First law says: "You can't win; at best, you can only break even!"

  Second law says: "You can't break even, unless you go down to 0 Kelvin".

  Third law says: "It is impossible to go down to 0 Kelvin".

• The laws of thermodynamics have been summarized as ( wikipedia calls it the Ginsberg's theorem):

  (1) You can't win.

  (2) You can't break even.

  (3) You can't get out of the game!

  Or, alternatively: (1) you can't get anything without working for it, (2) the most you can accomplish by working is to break even, and (3) you can only break even at absolute zero.
• Check out this page for some "insane literature on thermo"

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