Thermodynamics sets fundamental laws for all physical processes and is central to driving and maintaining planetary dynamics. But how do Earth system processes perform work, where do they derive energy from, and what are the ultimate limits? This accessible book describes how the laws of thermodynamics apply to Earth system processes, from solar radiation to motion, geochemical cycling and biot...

We propose a dual thermodynamic description of a classical instability of generalised black hole spacetimes. From a thermodynamic perspective, the instability is due to negative compressibility in regions where the Casimir pressure is large. The argument indicates how the correspondence between thermodynamic and classical instability for horizons may be extended to cases without translational i...

Human societies are complex thermodynamic systems. It is natural to ask to what extent results obtained from simple thermodynamic systems can be extended to provide insights into more complex thermodynamic systems. We apply some simple results from thermodynamics to examine relations among population size, migration patterns, living standard, space, social pressure, and cost to raise children. ...

The paper provides an intricately complex set of links between the fields physics, neuroscience, artificial intelligence and climate science, multiple loops on tourism, proposing a path to new solutions uncertainty that exists (already present) roots in solution through non-isolated systems have different connection relationships with external environment. These create thermodynamics informatio...

the mechanical aspect of entropy-exergy relationship, together with the thermal aspect usually consid-ered, leads to an extended formulation of physical exergy based on both maximum useful work and maximum useful heat that are the outcome of available energy of a thermodynamic system. this approach suggests that a mechanical entropy can be studied, in addition to the already used thermal entrop...

An effort is made to introduce thermodynamic and statistical thermodynamic methods into the treatment of nonphysical (e.g., social, economic, etc.) systems. Emphasis is placed on the use of the entire thermodynamic framework, not merely entropy. Entropy arises naturally, related in a simple manner to other measurables, but does not occupy a primary position in the theory. However, the maximum e...

an analytical equation of state is applied to calculate the thermodynamic properties for argon. theequation of state is that of song and mason. it is based on a statistical-mechanical perturbation theory ofhard convex bodies and can be written as fifth-order polynomial in the density. there exist three temperaturedependentparameters: the second virial coefficient, an effective molecular volume,...