Why Thermodynamics Is Challenging

To become proficient with thermodynamics and reach deep levels of understanding, you must have not only ability. In addition, you must adapt to alternative ways of thinking, make a commitment to learning, and exercise your new skills through personal reflection, interactive conversation, and problem solving. In this way you, your classmates, and your instructor can all benefit from your efforts. 

In this section we cite two stumbling blocks that often hinder a study of thermodynamics its scope and its abstract nature. Both can lead to frustration, but in this book we try to offer strategies that help you minimize your frustrations with the material. 

As an example, consider these four properties temperature T, pressure P, volume Y, and entropy S. For a system of constant mass we can use these four properties to form twelve common first derivatives  

How shall we organize these derivatives We choose an engineering approach in which we group them according to relative importance that is, we declare as most 

Non-measurable concepts repel engineers—people who like to get their hands on things. But to use conceptuals effectively, we must appreciate why they have been invented and understand how they connect to reality. So in presenting abstract quantities, we will not only provide formal definitions, but we will also rationalize their forms relative to alternatives and offer interpretations that provide physical meaning. 

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