Take some heat off the complexity of thermodynamics Does the mere thought of thermodynamics make you sweat? It doesn't have to! This hands-on guide helps you score your highest in a thermodynamics course by offering easily understood, plain-English explanations of how energy is used in things like automobiles, airplanes, air conditioners, and electric power plants.Thermodynamics 101 - take a look at some examples of both natural and man-made thermodynamic systems and get a handle on how energy can be used to perform work Turn up the heat - discover how to use the first and second laws of thermodynamics to determine (and improve upon) the efficiency of machines Oh, behave - get the 411 on how gases behave and relate to one another in different situations, from ideal-gas laws to real gases Burn with desire - find out everything you need to know about conserving mass and energy in combustion processes Open the book and find: The laws of thermodynamics Important properties and their r