Learning Thermodynamics - an Experimental Science.

I wish that cosmologists would subject themselves to the discipline of really learning Thermodynamics. I don't mean just manipulating a few formulae like

Q = D U + W

I mean actually doing some experiments, like measuring the Joule-Thomson Effect of hydrogen. They would get a surprise! Cosmologists always say that the expanding Universe must be cooling down and that therefore it must have been hot in the past. But the Joule-Thomson Effect of hydrogen is warming, that is to say, the free expansion of hydrogen (above 200 K) leads to an increase in temperature not a fall in temperature.

If you want to learn more about Thermodynamics you must get your hands dirty by studying machinery.

What about going to an electric power station and studying the steam turbines which drive the generators. Take measurements of the steam entering the turbine

pressure,

temperature,

flowrate.

Then apply this data to a Temperature-Entropy Diagram for steam (or use steam tables) in order to evaluate the enthalpy and entropy of the steam. Also measure the pressure and temperature of the steam leaving the turbine and do the same calculations on the exit steam. Use this thermodynamic data to calculate the enthalpy change of the steam. Does this enthalpy change balance the electric power generated ?

How does the entropy change ?

Is the expansion of the steam isentropic ?

It is only by having real practice at Thermodynamics that a person can gain a grasp of the subject, in the same way that one can only learn to play the violin by practice; a mere theoretical knowledge of vibrating strings is not enough.

For more examples of the practical application of Thermodynamics with numerical data, see my book, "The Big Bang Exploded! Cosmology Corrected, A Commentary with Thermodynamics".