Can Anyone Recommend an Excellent Book on Energy?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Astrophysics
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Book Energy
Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion centers on recommendations for books about energy, specifically targeting first and second-year university physics students. A notable suggestion is Vaclav Smil's "Energies: An Illustrated Guide to the Biosphere and Civilization," which provides an in-depth exploration of energy within natural food chains, agricultural efficiency, and the implications of modern weaponry. The book is acknowledged as complex and not suitable for casual readers, indicating a need for a solid foundational understanding of the subject.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of basic physics concepts relevant to energy
  • Familiarity with ecological systems and food chains
  • Knowledge of agricultural practices and their energy requirements
  • Awareness of the societal implications of energy use
NEXT STEPS
  • Research Vaclav Smil's other works on energy and civilization
  • Explore introductory texts on energy physics for university students
  • Investigate the relationship between energy consumption and ecological sustainability
  • Study the historical context of energy use in agriculture and warfare
USEFUL FOR

Students in physics, environmental science enthusiasts, and anyone interested in the complexities of energy systems and their societal impacts.

Astrophysics
Messages
63
Reaction score
0
Could someone please recommend me an excellent book on the subject Energy?

I thank you in advance,

Astrophysics
 
Physics news on Phys.org
At what level?
 
"First and/or second year physics at the university level" please
 
Well, this is a difficult reccomendation, as Energy is quite the broad topic.

But, for energy of our society, I find Smil's "Energies: An Illustrated Guide to the Biosphere and Civilization" to be very good. It goes in depth about the energy of natural food chains, the efficiency of human growth, the energy requirements of agriculture, and the terrible force of modern weapons, among hundreds of other subjects. It's not for the layman, however. I had difficulty understanding it for a while.

I'll think a bit more about this, see if I can come up with any other books.
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 36 ·
2
Replies
36
Views
4K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 14 ·
Replies
14
Views
3K
Replies
12
Views
4K
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • · Replies 0 ·
Replies
0
Views
1K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
4K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
3K