Molecular Physical Chemistry: A Concise Introduction

Author: McLauchlan, Keith A

Brand: Royal Society of Chemistry

Edition: Edition

Binding: paperback

Number Of Pages: 136

Release Date: 27-10-2004

Part Number: No

Details: Product Description
Molecular Physical Chemistry: A Concise Introduction focuses on two main aspects of physical chemistry: thermodynamics and reaction dynamics. By looking at the properties of the atoms and molecules that constitute matter, it makes use of results from modern experiments conducted on small numbers of molecules. These molecular properties allow the behaviour of larger groups of molecules to be predicted. This is in contrast to conventional approaches which are based upon how the subjects have developed historically. It attempts to show how some basic concepts can be easily applied to give verifiable results in simple systems before extending them to more complicated scenarios. The text is intended as an aid to understanding these central topics of physical chemistry, rather than an introduction to them, and some familiarity with them is assumed throughout. Worked examples and problems are given at the end of each chapter. Molecular Physical Chemistry: A Concise Introduction will be welcomed by graduate and advanced undergraduate students, as well as lecturers. Upon completion of this book the reader will see its subject matter as an integral part of their whole approach to chemistry. "Professor McLauchlin is certainly owed a debt of gratitude by the chemical community for this effort to bring enjoyment and understanding to the future generation. It will be interesting to see if this experiment helps students replace the fear of physical chemistry by an appreciation of its power and beauty." Professor William Klemperer, University of Harvard
Review
I can see this book forming the basis of a "eureka" moment for an undergraduate, where all suddenly falls into place, a light bulb suddenly appears above the reader's head, and the topic goes from being a chore to a pleasure.It will form the basis for a number of lecture courses within a few years. ―
Chemistry and Industry, Issue 10, 16 May 2005 (Pete Biggs)

Will be of greatest value to undergraduates in their second and subsequent years of study. We need books like this that emphasise understanding. ―
Education in Chemistry, January 2006 (Mike Pilling)
Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.
Molecular Physical Chemistry
A Concise Introduction

By K.A. McLauchlan
The Royal Society of Chemistry


Copyright © 2004 The Royal Society of Chemistry
All rights reserved.

ISBN: 978-0-85404-619-5


Contents

Chapter 1 Some Basic Ideas and Examples, 1,
Chapter 2 Partition Functions, 30,
Chapter 3 Thermodynamics, 59,
Chapter 4 Applications, 77,
Chapter 5 Reactions, 101,
Answers to Problems, 118,
Some Useful Constants and Relations, 121,
Further Reading, 122,
Subject Index, 123,





CHAPTER 1
Some Basic Ideas and Examples

1.1 INTRODUCTION
Physical chemistry is widely perceived as a collection of largely independent topics, few of which appear straightforward. This book aims to remove this misconception by basing it securely on the atoms and molecules that constitute matter, and their properties. We shall concentrate on just two aspects and we focus mainly on thermodynamics, which although extremely powerful is one of the least popular subjects with students. A briefer account describes how reactions occur. We shall nevertheless encounter the major building blocks of physical chemistry, the foundations that, if understood, together with their inter-dependence, remove any mystique. These include statistical thermodynamics, thermodynamics and quantum theory.
The way that physical chemistry is taught today reflects the historical process by which understanding was initially obtained. One subject led to another, not necessarily with any underlying philosophical connection but largely as a result of what was possible at the time. All experiments involved very large numbers of molecules (although when thermodynamics was first formulated the existence of atoms and molecules was not generally accepted) and people attempted to decipher wha

EAN: 9780854046195

Package Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 0.4 inches

Languages: English