Page 36 - Entrophy Analysis in Thermal Engineering Systems

Birth and evolution of thermodynamics 27

relation between the absolute and old temperature scales had already been
discovered. The combined gas laws enabled Carnot, Clapeyron, Thomson,
and Clausius to deduce that the ratio of work-to-heat in a reversible engine
would be a function of temperature only.
Finally, it is important to note that the legitimacy of a natural law strictly
depends upon repeatable and accurate experimental observations. One may
have a hypothesis about a phenomenon, but it cannot be justified as a valid
theory unless its truth is tested through a series of meaningful experiments.
Having said that, perhaps the beautiful science of thermodynamics would
not have come to an existence without the experiments of Boyle, Mariotte,
Dalton, Gay-Lussac, and Joule.

References
[1] P.G. Tait, Sketch of Thermodynamics, second ed., Edmunston and Douglas,
Edinburgh, 1877.
[2] R. Boyle, A Defence of the Doctrine Touching the Spring and Weight of the Air,
Chapter VThomas Robinson, London, 1662, 62.
[3] E. Mariotte, Oeuvres de Mr. Mariotte, de l’Acad emie royale des sciences, Second Essai:
De La Nature De L’Air, vol. I, Pierre Vander Aa, Leide, 1717, pp. 148–153.
[4] P.G. Tait, Lectures on Some Recent Advances in Physical Science, second ed., Mac-
millan & Co, 1876.
[5] C. Rumford, An inquiry concerning the source of the heat which is excited by friction,
Philos. Trans. R. Soc. Lond. 88 (1798) 80–102.
[6] T. Beddoes, Contributions of Physical and Medical Knowledge, Principally From the
West of England, Printed by Biggs & Cottle for T.N. Longman and O. Rees, Pater-
noster Row, London, 1799, pp. 16–22.
[7] J. Dalton, Experiments and observations on the heat and cold produced by the mechan-
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Society of Manchester, vol. V, Cadell & Davies, London, 1802, , pp. 515–526 Part II.
[8] J. Dalton, On the constitution of mixed gases; on the force of steam or vapor from water
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evaporation; and on the expansion of gases by heat, in: Memoirs of the Literary and
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[9] J. Gay-Lussac, Recherches sur la dilatation des gaz et des vapeurs, Ann. Chim. 43 (1802)
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[10] W.W. Randall, The Expansion of Gases by Heat, American Book Company, Dobbs
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[11] T. Savery, The Miners’ Friend, or an Engine to Raise Water by Fire, Crouch, London,
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[12] S. Carnot, R eflexions sur la Puissance Motrice du Feu et Sur Les Machines Propres a `
D evelopper Cette Puissance, Chez Bachelier, Paris, 1824.
[13] S. Carnot, R.H. Thurston (Ed.), Reflections on the Motive Power of Heat, second ed.,
Wiley, New York, 1897.
[14] E. Clapeyron, M emoire sur la puissance motrice de la chaleur, Journal de L’Ecole
Royale Polytechnique: De l’Imprimerie Royale 14 (1834) 153–190.