Entropy

A Very Short Introduction

James Binney (Emeritus Professor of Physics, University of Oxford)

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English

Oxford University Press
25 September 2025

Energy; Relativity physics; Statistical physics; Chemistry

Series: Very Short Introductions

Very Short Introductions: Brilliant, Sharp, Inspiring Until the middle of the nineteenth century entropy and energy were confused with one another. The intellectual fog slowly cleared and now these words name subtle and powerful concepts. Most people think they know what energy is, but few could define entropy.

This Very Short Introduction traces the emergence of entropy and energy as distinct concepts, and explains how entropy spread from thermodynamics into statistical mechanics, probability theory and data science.

It explains the implications of entropy for heat pumps, solar cells, carbon capture, and liquified natural gas. Quantum mechanics and gravity open new horizons for entropy, and when combined in the quantum theory of black holes, they call into question our current understanding of material reality.ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.

By: James Binney (Emeritus Professor of Physics University of Oxford)
Imprint: Oxford University Press
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
Dimensions: Height: 175mm, Width: 110mm, Spine: 7mm
Weight: 112g
ISBN: 9780198901488
ISBN 10: 0198901488
Series: Very Short Introductions
Pages: 128
Publication Date: 25 September 2025
Audience: General/trade , ELT Advanced
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Active

Preface 1: The age of confusion 2: Thermodynamics arrives 3: Entropy and the energy transition 4: The mechanics of entropy 5: The principle of maximum entropy 6: Image reconstruction 7: Entropy and quantum mechanics 8: Entropy and gravity 9: Wrapping up Notes and further reading

James Binney, FRS, is an astrophysicist at Oxford University. He is the co-author of The Physics of Quantum Mechanics (2013) with David Skinner, along with Astrophysics: A Very Short Introduction.