Concept of Energy Simply Explained

By Morton Mott-Smith

No Synopsis Available.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0486210715
• ISBN13: 9780486210711
• Release Date: January 1934
• Publisher: Dover Publications
• Length: 223 Pages
• Weight: 0.55 lbs.

Customer Reviews

Energy Made Understandable

I strongly agree with the first two reviewers regarding their opinion on this little book. People in general usually take the concept of energy for grant despite the importance of energy in our every day lives! However, if you are serious about a true understanding on the exact concept of energy, its characteristics, and implications for our modern world, this classic book is a good one to start with. The writing style is descriptive and informal. Hence, a proficiency in maths or physics is not compulsory. Another interesting feature of this book is the development of key concepts and ideas that centers around historical perspectives. Not only the concept of energy is vividly presented but also the story of scientists working behind these key concepts. This book also includes the story about the development of early heat engines (e.g., steam engines, air engines, and internal combustion engines) so it is also beneficial to technicians who work on these engines and wanting to learn more about the basics of thermodynamics. This vintage is fun to read and I do not hesitate to recommend this book to general readers, regardless of their backgrounds. Doy Sundarasaradula May 20, 2009

A Look at Energy and the Feild of Science Itself

A "lucid and entertaining history of the concept of energy," as well as "accessible to all (no math required) and (I am sure) rewarding to both naïve and highly sophisticated readers." I could not have put it better myself. I have to say the first two chapters on the workings of steam engines made me drop my expectations of the book, but after those first chapters the book became enthralling. It greatly exceeded my expectations. It delivers a forceful attack on Sir Francis Bacon, as well as addressing the line between science and pseudo-science. The book gives the narrative of how Joule got credit for thermodynamics over Mayer, all the while exploring the way credit is given in science. The book even goes on to discuss metaphysical reasoning v. empirical evidence! Truly a wondrous book that not only explains energy, but tells the interesting story of it's discovery, and explores the philosophy of science all in one.

Reads like a good novel.

The two titles of this book (The Story of Energy, 1934 and The Concept of Energy Simply Explained, 1964) are accurate descriptions of its contents. Above all, it is a lucid and entertaining history of the concept of energy, accessible to all (no math required) and (I am sure) rewarding to both naïve and highly sophisticated readers. Its explanation of the Carnot cycle and its narrative of Mayer's tragic life are simply delightful. It deserves to be published again, so that new generations can enjoy it. If you find it, buy it. It is a rare gem.