Reflections on the Motive Power of Fire: And Other Papers on the Second Law of Thermodynamics

by Nicolas Léonard Sadi Carnot

The title essay, along with other papers in this volume, laid the foundation of modern thermodynamics. Highly readable, "Reflections" contains no arguments that depend on calculus, examining the relation between heat and work in terms of heat in steam engines, air-engines, and an internal combustion machine. Translation of 1890 edition.

Genres: Science, Physics, Nonfiction

192 pages, Paperback

First published February 1, 1979

About the author

Work of French physicist and engineer Nicolas Léonard Sadi Carnot on heat engines laid the foundation for the second law of thermodynamics.

People often describe this military scientist and mechanical engineer in the Army as the "father of thermodynamics."