History of Science and Math Stack Exchange
History of Science and Math Stack Exchange

Questions tagged [thermodynamics]

For questions about the branch of physics concerning heat and temperature and their macroscopic relationship to energy and work.

Thermodynamics covers the subset of physics that covers heat and temperature, and their relationship to energy and work. Thermodynamics uses statistics to define macroscopic variables such as entropy and pressure.

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When did the concept of temperature first arise?

I am interested in when the concept of temperature first arose. This seems surprisingly hard to pin down from the web-based research I've done so far. I am mostly interested in how people thought about the concept (or its precursors) prior to the…
N. Virgo
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Carnot and Entropy

After reading the article History of Entropy on Wikipedia, I noticed that it mentioned Carnot running into problems with entropy. I understand that entropy was fleshed out later by Clausius, but with respect to Carnot, what experiment did he perform…
J. LeMoine
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Historical evolution of the ideas behind Clausius-Clapeyron equation and the classical/statistical notion of entropy

The concept of entropy in classical thermodynamics has its roots in attempts to improve the design and efficiency of steam engines; through Sadi Carnot's work, scientists eventually came to realize the significance of the notion of "reversible…
user2554
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Why was it necessary to define the "Zeroth Law of Thermodynamics"?

Historically, why was it necessary to define the Zeroth Law of Thermodynamics after defining the other Laws? In our current understanding of science, the way we study it in schools, it seems obvious. So, what is so special about Zeroth Law? Why is…
Devansh Mittal
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who was the "nabob" Truesdell thinking of?

In his "Rational Thermodynamics" 1983, 2nd ed., on page 55, Truesdell writes The axiomatization of Caratheodory has left a baneful legacy: Born's endorsement, which for a long time promoted in physical circles widespread complacent belief that…
hyportnex
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Who introduced 1/T=δS/δU and when?

Who first defined temperature $T$ such that $\frac{1}{T} = \frac{\delta S}{\delta U}$, and where and when? It could not have been Thomson, right? He did not have an entropy concept. Clausius?
JPM
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Heat Capacity versus Fourier's Law

What came first, Fourier's Law, or the definition of heat capacity?
Christina Daniel
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Ideal gas equation, mercury thermometer and temperature

Initially water thermometer were used to measure temperatures around the 1600s, then in 18th century mercury was used in thermometers because it expands linearly with temperature. But how do they know mercury expands linearly with temperature? If…
Rahul Einstien
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When did they say 'progression is downward?'

Many creationists use the 2nd law of Thermodynamics "Progression is always downward, a law," to reject evolution. When did this misunderstanding of Thermodynamics start and how to refute it?
Turk Hill
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Lord Kelvin's wonderful prediction

My question is straight forward. How did Lord Kelvin accurately determine that -273.16°C is absolute zero. I guess this was not determined by experiments cause the equipment was not so developed. ( Please note that I am not sure that it was Lord…
user497826