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Into the cool: energy flow, thermodynamics, and life.

Author(s) : SCHNEIDER E. D., SAGAN D.

Type of monograph: Book

Summary

Scientists, theologians, and philosophers have all sought to answer the questions why we are here and where we are going. The authors of this book look for answers in a surprising place: the second law of thermodynamics. This second law refers to energy's inevitable tendency to change from being concentrated in one place to becoming spread out over time. Although the second law is usually and correctly associated with molecular chaos (and thus with aging, loss, and death), the authors show that it is also vital to life and complexity. It is behind evolution, ecology, economics, and even life's origin. They review its application to topics ranging from fluid dynamics and meteorology to the origin of life, ecology, plant physiology, and evolutionary biology. Extract from the table of contents: the energetic; the complex; thermodynamics and life; the human. In the appendix: principles of open thermodynamic systems.

Details

  • Original title: Into the cool: energy flow, thermodynamics, and life.
  • Record ID : 2006-0489
  • Languages: English
  • Subject: Environment
  • Publication: University Chicago Press - United states/United states
  • Publication date: 2005
  • ISBN: 0226739368
  • Source: Source: 362 p. (15.7 x 23.5); fig.; tabl.; ref.; index; USD 30.
  • Document available for consultation in the library of the IIR headquarters only.

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