Physics of Energy

The Physics of Energy provides a comprehensive and systematic introduction to the scientific principles governing energy sources, uses, and systems. This definitive textbook traces the flow of energy from sources such as solar power, nuclear power, wind power, water power, and fossil fuels through its transformation in devices such as heat engines and electrical generators, to its uses including transportation, heating, cooling, and other applications. The flow of energy through the Earth's atmosphere and oceans, and systems issues including storage, electric grids, and efficiency and conservation are presented in a scientific context along with topics such as radiation from nuclear power and climate change from the use of fossil fuels. Students, scientists, engineers, energy industry professionals, and concerned citizens with some mathematical and scientific background who wish to understand energy systems and issues quantitatively will find this textbook of great interest.

'This magnificent book provides an astonishingly comprehensive, yet deep and accurate, coverage of the physics of energy. It also introduces much of the engineering, and some of the chemistry and biology. As well as being a superb text for those who are new to the subject, it will be an invaluable reference for experienced researchers seeking to refresh, deepen or broaden their knowledge and understanding.' Sir Chris Llewellyn Smith FRS, Director of Energy Research, Oxford University and Director General of CERN 1994–98, 'Jaffe and Taylor have produced a masterpiece that lays out the scientific foundations of energy sources, uses and systems - from fossil fuels to geothermal, engines to wind turbines, electric grid to climate change. I can only wish that The Physics of Energy had been available twenty years earlier when I first had responsibility for the US Department of Energy science and energy programs without the benefit of this extraordinary resource!' Ernest J. Moniz, formerly the 13th United States Secretary of Energy and Cecil and Ida Green Professor of Physics and Engineering Systems, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 'If your task was to jump-start civilization, but had access to only one book, then The Physics of Energy would be your choice. Professors Taylor and Jaffe have written a comprehensive, thorough, and relevant treatise. It's an energizing read as a stand-alone book, but it should also be a course, offered at every college, lest we mismanage our collective role as shepherds of our energy-hungry, energy-dependent civilization.' Neil deGrasse Tyson, Frederick P. Rose Director of the Hayden Planetarium at the American Museum of Natural History, 'I have long wished for a single textbook that could explain energy conversion as it occurs in nature and is utilized in our industrial and digital world in a comprehensive, accurate, and engaging way. The Physics of Energy is that book. It covers its subject matter with depth, breadth, care for precision, and clarity.' Julia Mikhailova, Physics Today

Robert L. Jaffe holds the Morningstar Chair in the Department of Physics at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). He was formerly director of MIT's Center for Theoretical Physics and recently chaired the American Physical Society's Panel on Public Affairs. Jaffe is best known for his research on the quark substructure of the proton and other strongly interacting particles, on exotic states of matter, and on the quantum structure of the vacuum. He received his B.A. from Princeton and his Ph.D. from Stanford. In recognition of his contributions to teaching and course development at MIT, Jaffe has received numerous awards including a prestigious MacVicar Fellowship. Jaffe is a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. Washington Taylor is a Professor of Physics at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), and is currently the Director of MIT's Center for Theoretical Physics. Taylor's research is focused on basic theoretical questions of particle physics and gravity. Taylor has made contributions to our understanding of fundamental aspects of string theory and its set of solutions, including connections to constraints on low-energy field theory and observable physics and to new results in mathematics. Taylor received his B.A. in mathematics from Stanford and his Ph.D. in physics from University of California, Berkeley. Among other honors, Taylor has been an Alfred P. Sloan Research Fellow and a Department of Energy Outstanding Junior Investigator, and has received MIT's Buechner faculty teaching prize.

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