Take some heat off the complexity of thermodynamics Does the mere thought of thermodynamics make you sweat? It doesn't have to! This hands-on guide helps you score your highest in a thermodynamics course by offering easily understood, plain-English explanations of how energy is used in things like automobiles, airplanes, air conditioners, and electric power plants. * Thermodynamics 101—take a look at some examples of both natural and man-made thermodynamic systems and get a handle on how energy can be used to perform work * Turn up the heat—discover how to use the first and second laws of thermodynamics to determine (and improve upon) the efficiency of machines * Oh, behave—get the 411 on how gases behave and relate to one another in different situations, from ideal-gas laws to real gases * Burn with desire—find out everything you need to know about conserving mass and energy in combustion processes Open the book and find: * The laws of thermodynamics * Important properties and their relationships * The lowdown on solids, liquids, and gases * How work and heat go hand in hand * The cycles that power thermodynamic processes * Chemical mixtures and reactions * Ten pioneers in thermodynamics * Real-world applications of thermodynamic laws and concepts Learn to: * Master the concepts and principles of thermodynamics * Develop the problem-solving skills used by professional engineers * Ace your thermodynamics course