Gaseous Matter

The scientific study of fluids concentrated first on the behavior of gases and then, as thermodynamics matured in the 19th century, incorporated the behavior of liquids under a variety of important physical conditions. Ancient people manipulated the flow of air, developed sailing ships, and eventually began using primitive windmills to grind grain. They experienced steam, but the scientific understanding of what actually happened when water vaporized awaited the development of thermodynamics in the 19th century. Gaseous Matter focuses on the many important discoveries that led to the scientific interpretation of matter in the gaseous state. This new, full-color resource describes the basic characteristics and properties of several important gases, including air, hydrogen, helium, oxygen, and nitrogen. The nature and scope of the science of fluids is discussed in great detail, highlighting the most important scientific principles upon which the field is based.