Thermodynamics is the science that describes the behavior of matter at the macroscopic scale, and how this arises from individual molecules. As such, it is a subject of profound practical and fundamental importance to many science and engineering fields. Despite extremely varied applications ranging from nanomotors to cosmology, the core concepts of thermodynamics such as equilibrium and entropy are the same across all disciplines. A Conceptual Guide to Thermodynamics serves as a concise, conceptual and practical supplement to the major thermodynamics textbooks used in various fields. Presenting clear explanations of the core concepts, the book aims to improve fundamental understanding of the material, as well as homework and exam performance. Distinctive features include: *Terminology and Notation Key: A universal translator that addresses the myriad of conventions, terminologies, and notations found across the major thermodynamics texts. *Content Maps: Specific references to each major thermodynamic text by section and page number for each new concept that is introduced. *Helpful Hints and Don t Try Its: Numerous useful tips for solving problems, as well as warnings of common student pitfalls. *Unique Explanations: Conceptually clear, mathematically fairly simple, yet also sufficiently precise and rigorous. A more extensive set of reference materials, including older and newer editions of the major textbooks, as well as a number of less commonly used titles, is available online at http://www.conceptualthermo.com. Undergraduate and graduate students of chemistry, physics, engineering, geosciences and biological sciences will benefit from this book, as will students preparing for graduate school entrance exams and MCATs.

This book is not about Lafayette the youthful adventurer; it is not about Lafayette the courtier or Lafayette the wealthy nobleman. This book is about Lafayette the soldier. Through these pages, the reader will hear the tale of young man who heard accounts of his martial ancestors and dreamed of being a soldier. One will travel with him as he saw his dream become a reality, both in France and America. First and foremost, Lafayette saw himself as a soldier and it is as a soldier that this study examines him. The Officers of the Pennsylvania line recognized LafayetteOs martial qualities, as did many of LafayetteOs other contemporaries. It is now time for history to recognize them as well.