TABLE OF CONTENTS The basic, macroscopic theories of matter are equilibrium thermodynamics, irreversible thermodynamics, and kinetics. Of these, kinetics provides an easy link to the microscopic description via its molecular models. The thermodynamic theories are also connected to a microscopic interpretation through statistical thermodynamics or direct molecular dynamics simulation. Statistical thermodynamics is also outlined in this section when discussing heat capacities, and molecular dynamics simulations are introduced in Sect. 1.3.8 and applied to thermal analysis in Sect. 2.1.6. The basics, discussed in this chapter are designed to form the foundation for the later chapters. After the introductory Sect. 2.1, equilibrium thermodynamics is discussed in Sect. 2.2, followed in Sect. 2.3 by a detailed treatment of the most fundamental thermodynamic function, the heat capacity. Section 2.4 contains an introduction into irreversible thermodynamics, and Sect. 2.5 closes this chapter with an initial description of the different phases. The kinetics is closely linked to the synthesis of macromolecules, crystal nucleation and growth, as well as melting. These topics are described in the separate Chap. 3.
The introductory discussion on thermal analysis begins with a brief cutline of the history of the understanding of heat and temperature. Heat is obviously a macroscopic quantity. One can feel its effect directly with one's senses. The microscopic origin of heat, the origin on a molecular scale, rests with the motion of the molecules of matter discussed in Sect. 2.3. The translation, rotation, internal rotation, and vibration of molecules are the cause of heat.
