Fundamentals

After introductory definitions and a review of commonly used mathematical operations, the various laws of thermodynamics are introduced in turn. In contrast to conventional treatments, elements of irreversible thermodynamics are applied at the outset, and distinctions are drawn between reversible and irreversible processes. Interrelations between the various thermodynamic functions are developed in a systematic manner and methods for their determination are developed. Considerable emphasis is placed on the proper interpretation of the entropy function. This chapter ends with a discussion of the stability of systems and methods of characterizing their fluctuations.