Physical Chemistry (Topics in Physical Chemistry) - Hardcover

Berry, R. Stephen; Rice, Stuart A.; Ross, John R.

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0195105893 ISBN 13: 9780195105896

Publisher: OUP USA, 2000

Synopsis

The authors' goal is the presentation of the three major areas of physical chemistry: molecular structure, the equilibrium properties of systems, and the kinetics of transformations of systems. The theoretical foundations of these subjects are, respectively, quantum mechanics, thermodynamics and equilibrium statistical mechanics, and chemical kinetics and kinetic theory. These theories, firmly based on experimental findings, constitute the structure required for the understanding of past accomplishments and the basis for recognition and development of significant new areas in physical chemistry.

The presentation of the theories of physical chemistry requires careful discussions at several levels of exposition. The authors' approach aims toward depth of understanding of fundamentals more than toward breadth of recognition of the multitude of activities that go on under the name of physical chemistry. The organization of the book, with its three principal sections, should make this clear. The mathematical level begins with elementary calculus, and rises to the use of simple properties of partial differential equations and the special functions that enter into their solutions. The authors' intention is to keep the reader's mind on the scienc rather than on the mathematics, especially at the beginning. This procedure also corresponds to the pattern, followed by many students, of taking physical chemistry and advanced calculus concurrently. Appendices develop the details of the mathematical tools as they are needed.
The text discussion contains more material than can be covered in the traditional one-year physical chemistry sequence; it is designed to fulfill the dual purpose of providing a clear and incisive treatment of fundamental principles at a level accessible to all students while broadening the perspectives and challenging the minds of the best students. Individual instructors will wish to make their own selections of material for inclusion and exclusion, respectively.

About this title

Review

"The authors have taken great care to present the material in a clear and concise way and have made links, where appropriate, between chapters. Throughout the book, diagrams and illustrations are clear and informative ... There is much to commend in this book and I would suggest that all chemistry libraries stock at least one copy ... The range and depth of topics covered will serve undergraduates on any physical chemistry or chemical physics course well, even to an advanced level, making this book good value for money." Dudley Shallcross in Education in Chemistry, May 2001

"Comprehensive and high-level, the second editon of Physical Chemistry belongs on the bookshelf of everyone teaching physical chemistry. In addition, this book should also be in the hands of all graduate students in physical chemistry." Chemical Education Today, v.78 no.1, Jan. 2001

About this edition

• Publisher: OUP USA
• Publication date: 2000
• ISBN 10: 0195105893
• ISBN 13: 9780195105896
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 2
• Number of pages: 1080