Thermodynamics of complex systems : an introduction to ecophysics / Luigi Sertorio.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Sertorio, Luigi, 1933-

Series:

Series on advances in statistical mechanics ; v. 4.

Series on advances in statistical mechanics ; vol. 4

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Thermodynamics.

Thermodynamic equilibrium.

Ecology.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (220 p.)

Place of Publication:

Singapore ; Hong Kong : World Scientific, c1991.

Language Note:

English

Summary:

This book aims at guiding the reader with continuity from the elements of classical equilibrium thermodynamics to the formal problems of global non equilibrium thermodynamics necessary to describe an "active system" such is a thermodynamic ecosystem. To this purpose, the brief review of equilibrium thermodynamics emphasizes the concepts of disequilibrium, Carnot cycles and less efficient cycles, and Gibbs availability as the distance from equilibrium. In this way the reader is taken by hand to accept the concept of Gibbs efficiency of the ecosystem Earth as a property given to us by the cosmol

Contents:

Introduction; Acknowledgments; Index; 1. 1583; the harmonic oscillator; References; 2. Irreversibility is not to be deduced.; Notes and References; 3. Equilibrium hermodynamics. Irreversibility and reversible processes.; 3. Notes; 4. Equilibrium thermodynamics. Irreversibility and disequilibrium.; 5. From laboratory to environment.; 6. Expansion, large scale uniformity and local disequilibrium.; 6. References.; 7. Reversible, irreversible.; 7. Notes and References; 8. Time scales.; 9. The Cosmological engine.; 10. The equations of non-equilibrium thermodynamics. Rigid systems.

11. The equations of non-equilibrium thermodynamics. Fluid systems11. Notes; 12. Active Systems; Notes and references; 13. Ecosystems.; 14. Ecosystem Earth and the radiation fluxes.; 15. Ecosystem Earth and its constitution.; 16. A model for the evaluation of the Earth's availability.; Notes and References; 17. Comments on section 16.; 18. Interacting with the ecosystem. Global warming.; 18. Reading.; 19. Control and information.; 20. Brief sketch of one-directional control systems.; 21. Remarks on global control systems.; References; 22. Geophysical inputs.

23. Thermodynamics of t h e inert house.24. Variable structure and online automaton Z(4,3).; Notes and References; 25. Thermodynamic demon and Entropy.; 26. The intellectual house.; 27. Conclusions.

Notes:

Description based upon print version of record.

Includes bibliographical references.

ISBN:

9789814368384

9814368385