Why must we study Thermodynamics?

As man requires energy like he requires nothing else. The man’s dependence on energy for the continued survival of the current civilization stems from his requirement to generate materials for his use that are not found in nature (via manufacturing procedures), and to use energy forms taking place in nature to do helpful work for him (via energy conversion procedures).

The man’s use of energy has been rising steadily and quickly as the time of the industrial rebellion, and currently it has assumed exponential rates of expansion. This is not merely due since of rising per capita use though also since of population growth. One fascinating feature of energy usage is its approximately direct connection with the degree of industrialization, gross national product and the standard of living.   

A story told concerning Arnold Sommerfeld, a big physicist noted for his clarity of exposition, gives some light on the nature of the study of thermodynamics. Throughout the course of his lifetime, Sommerfeld wrote a sequence of books, each book cover a specific region: optics, mechanics, electrodynamics, and so on. Whenever asked why he had never written a book on thermodynamics, he is reported to contain answered in the following manner: “Thermodynamics is a humorous subject. The first time you leave through the subject, you do not realize it at all. The second time you go through it, you believe you understand it, apart from for one or two small points. The third time you go for it, you know you do not understand it, though by that time you are too used to the subject it does not trouble you any more”. When Sommerfeld was murdered in a misfortune, he was in the middle of writing a book on thermodynamics.