Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is there a MAC version of IT?

A: No. A great deal of development effort has gone into IT, and it was decided that maintaining a low unit cost for the software was too important to students to justify the development of other versions.

Q: Some books introduce property data before the first law, why do you wait until Chapter 3?

A: Although p-v-T data could be presented before the first law, we see several advantages to the arrangment in Fundamentals of Engineering Thermodynamics: the current arrangment (1) reinforces the fact that the energy concept applies to systems generally, and it is not limited to instances involving simple compressible substances, (2) allows instructors to assign energy analysis problems early in the course, thereby sparking student interest, and (3) allows students further practice in applying the energy concept while learning about property relations and data in Chapter 3.

Q: Why are English units featured to the extent they are in the text?

A: The text has been written to allow flexibility in the use of units. It can be studied using SI units only, or using a mix of SI and English units. We offer this flexibility because we believe that for many years to come, engineers in the United States will have to be conversant with a variety of units.

Q: Why is the exergy (availability) presentation divided between Chapters 7 and 13?

A: Chapter 7 covers the case of thermomechancial exergy (availability) and provides applications to non-reactive systems. Chapter 13 generalizes exergy by introducing chemical exergy and applies exergy analysis to systems undergoing changes in composition, including chemical reaciton and combustion.