Book excerpt: Explore the theories, applications, and core concepts of thermodynamics This hands-on guide lays out the critical thermodynamics concepts, rules, and governing equations for engineering students and professionals. Developed by an experienced academic to reduce information overload in his classroom, Essentials of Engineering Thermodynamics: Principles and Applications reinforces each topic through concept questions and representative problems with detailed, worked-out solutions. Figures and illustrations throughout tie each subject to the real world. You will gain a clear understanding of the laws of thermodynamics that drive our understanding of energy systems and their daily applications. Coverage includes: Basic thermodynamics concepts Energy transfer modes The first law of thermodynamics Macroscale mass and energy balances Transient closed systems Steady open uniform flow devices The second law of thermodynamics The T-s diagram and entropy calculations Exergy or minimizing energy waste Open and closed power cycles Reversed closed cycles