Thermodynamics of Natural Systems

Anderson, GregGreg Anderson is Professor Emeritus in the Department of Earth Sciences at the University of Toronto. He began his career as a mining engineer and exploration geologist before becoming interested in geochemistry. After completing his Ph.D. at Toronto, he spent five years at Pennsylvania State University doing experimental work on mineral solubilities. Afterward, he returned to Toronto, where he has since divided his time between studies of mineral systems, lead-zinc ore deposits, and theoretical geochemistry. He is the co-author of two other textbooks for Earth scientists, and in 2000 was awarded the Past Presidents' Medal (now named the Peacock Medal) by the Mineralogical Association of Canada for contributions to geochemistry.

Thermodynamics deals with energy levels and energy transfers between states of matter, and is therefore fundamental to all branches of science. This new edition provides an accessible introduction to the subject, specifically tailored to the interests of Earth and environmental science students. Beginning at an elementary level, the first four chapters explain all necessary concepts via a simple graphical approach. Throughout the rest of the book, the author emphasizes the importance of field observations and demonstrates that, despite being derived from idealized circumstances, thermodynamics is crucial to understanding ore formation, acid mine drainage, and other real-world geochemical and geophysical problems. Exercises now follow each chapter, with answers provided at the end of the book. An associated website includes extra chapters and password-protected answers to additional problems. This textbook is ideal for undergraduate and graduate students studying geochemistry and environmental science.

Fully updated, this streamlined new textbook is an accessible introduction to thermodynamics for Earth and environmental scientists, emphasising real-world problems.

Preface; 1. What is thermodynamics?; 2. Defining our terms; 3. The First Law of Thermodynamics; 4. The Second Law of Thermodynamics; 5. Getting data; 6. Some simple applications; 7. Solutions; 8. Fugacity and activity; 9. The equilibrium constant; 10. Rock-water systems; 11. Redox reactions; 12. Phase diagrams; 13. Affinity and extent of reaction; Appendix A. Constants and numerical values; Appendix B. Standard state properties; Appendix C. Answers to exercises; References; Index; Online material: real solutions; The phase rule; Equations of state; Solid solutions; Electrolyte solutions; The Van't Hoff equilibrium box; Topics in mathematics.