The Essentials of Thermodynamics

This monograph offers a unique approach to understanding thermodynamics by blending practical experience, a mathematically rigorous foundation, and historical insights. It presents the evolution of thermodynamics, demonstrating that the functions, equations, relationships, and quantities didn’t simply materialize but were rooted in the human experience of heat and cold. While equilibrium thermodynamics is the primary focus, time is integrated as a fundamental element, distinguishing this from traditional treatments. Readers will find familiar heat-related experiences transformed into model equations, revealing the natural emergence of fundamental thermodynamic concepts. These essentials are then distilled into simple axioms summarizing the core principles of equilibrium thermodynamics. The book goes beyond macroscopic descriptions, delving into microscopic connections at the atomic and molecular levels. It is suitable for a diverse readership, including students in science and technology, professionals looking to refresh their knowledge of thermodynamics, and those interested in exploring advanced, non-equilibrium thermodynamics. While it caters to a broad audience, it is particularly beneficial for individuals in chemistry and chemical engineering, requiring only a basic understanding of calculus.

Miloslav Pekař was born in 1962 in Kroměříz, Czech Republic. He received his M.Sc. in organic technology and Ph.D. in technical chemistry from the Institute of Chemical Technology in Prague (nowadays, University of Chemical Technology), Czech Republic in 1985 and 1991, respectively. After spending several years at the Czech Academy of Sciences, in a regional analytical laboratory, and industrial research he joined the Brno University of Technology in 1994. He is teaching physical and colloid chemistry courses at the Faculty of Chemistry. His current research interests include relationships between non-equilibrium thermodynamics and kinetics, physical chemistry of biocolloids and their application, particularly hydrogels, polysaccharides, and humic substances. In 1999 he was appointed associated and in 2009 full professor of physical chemistry. He is head of the Institute of Physical and Applied Chemistry and was head of Materials Research Centre in 2010-2018. He isa member of American Chemical Society, Czech Chemical Society, International Humic Substances Society, and European Colloid and Interface Society. He has authored or co-authored 3 textbooks on theoretical and practical physical chemistry, 7 book chapters, about 110 journal articles, and more than 300 conference contributions. As a co-author to Ivan Samohýl he published monograph The Thermodynamics of Linear Fluids and Fluid Mixtures (Springer 2014).