Synopses & Reviews
"This admirable text provides a solid foundation in the fundamentals of physical chemistry including quantum mechanics and statistical mechanics/thermodynamics. The presentation assists the students in developing an intuitive understanding of the subjects as well as skill in quantitative manipulations. Particularly exciting is the treatment of larger molecular systems. With a firm but gentle hand, the student is led to several organized molecular assemblies including supramolecular systems and models of the origin of life. By learning of some of the most productive areas of current chemical research, the student may see the discipline as an active, young science in addition to its many accomplishments of earlier years. This text makes physical chemistry fun and demonstrates why so many find it a stimulating and rewarding profession."
—Edel Wasserman, President (1999) of the American Chemical Society, regarding the first edition of this book.
Takes readers from atoms to increasingly complex molecular assemblies to the emergence of life
Principles of Physical Chemistry presents a novel approach to physical chemistry that emphasizes the use of a few fundamental principles to quantitatively describe the nature of molecules and their assemblies. It begins with atoms and molecules, using the electron-in-a-box model to illustrate the essential features of quantum mechanics and why atoms and molecules exist. Thermodynamics is not introduced in the classical manner, considering the first and second law as postulates, but approached by studying assemblies of molecules statistically. The authors proceed to molecular assemblies of increasing complexity, evolving from ideal gases to real gases and solutions, then to macromolecules and supramolecular machines, and ending with the search for the logical conditions and chemical requirements for physicochemical processes leading to life's origin, the emergence of matter that carries information. This text is ideal for both undergraduate and graduate courses in physical chemistry, providing a basis for understanding the nature of chemical processes in biology, chemistry, and engineering.
Principles of Physical Chemistry examines several important topics that are often overlooked, yet are critical to a full understanding of the field, including:
Macromolecules
Principles of organized molecular assemblies
Construction of supramolecular machines
Basic mechanisms in the emergence of information producing and carrying forms of matter
Throughout the text, actual experimental data are used to help readers understand the practical implications of theoretical developments. Simple physical models and examples are used to explain molecular and supramolecular systems and processes. The CD-ROM packaged with the text offers problems, exercises, interactive Mathcad exercises and data tables with search functions that enable readers to apply their newfound skills and knowledge to solving actual problems. In addition, the CD contains Foundations and Justifications, in which mathematical proofs and derivations are presented.
Review
"The book has clear pedagogical intentions: the authors aim to provide a global scientific methodology for the comprehension of chemical systems at different length scales, solidly based on general principles." (Bunsenmagazine, 1 November 2010)
Recommended. Upper-division undergraduate through professional collections". (Choice, 1 November 2010)
Synopsis
This book provides a novel approach to physical chemistry and contains all of the essential sub-fields of quantum mechanics, atomic and molecular structure, atomic and molecular spectroscopies, statistical thermodynamics, classical thermodynamics, solutions and equilibria, applications to biological chemistry, electrochemistry, kinetics, and reaction dynamics. It also develops principles of supramolecular systems: preorganization, self-assembly, electronic and optical logic with molecular systems, and many examples from biology.
Synopsis
Principles of Physical Chemistry uniquely presents simple physical models for molecular and supramolecular systems and processes, rather than dwelling on mathematical formality. This new edition integrates experiments and real experimental data with theoretical developments, and uses many classical results in conjunction with modern results and methods. Including numerous problems and solutions, the presentation assists students in developing an intuitive understanding of the subjects as well as skill in quantitative manipulations.
Synopsis
Principles of Physical Chemistry, Second Edition uniquely uses simple physical models as well as rigorous treatments for understanding molecular and supramolecular systems and processes. In this way the presentation assists students in developing an intuitive understanding of the subjects as well as skill in quantitative manipulations. The unifying nature of physical chemistry is emphasized in the book by its organization - beginning with atoms and molecules, and proceeding to molecular assemblies of increasing complexity, ending with the emergence of matter that carries information, i.e. the origin of life, a physicochemical process of unique importance. The aim is to show the broad scope and coherence of physical chemistry.
About the Author
HANS KUHN, Dr. phil, became a Professor at the University of Basel in 1951. From 1953–1970 he was on the chair of the Institute of Physical Chemistry at the Philipps-University at Marburg, and in 1970 he became Director at the Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry (Karl-Friedrich-Bonhoeffer-Institut) until he retired in 1985. Professor Kuhn has published papers in such fields as polymer science, quantum chemistry, organized molecular assemblies, and the origin of life.
HORST-DIETER FÖRSTERLING, Dr. phil., was a Professor in the Department of Physical Chemistry at the Philipps-University of Marburg from 1972 until his retirement in 1999. Professor Försterling has taught physical chemistry courses and laboratory courses at all levels, including graduate and advanced graduate courses in spectroscopy, statistical mechanics, reaction kinetics, and quantum mechanics. His research interests include quantum chemistry, reaction mechanisms, oscillating chemical reactions, and chemical waves.
DAVID H. WALDECK, PhD, is Professor and Chair in the Department of Chemistry at the University of Pittsburgh. Professor Waldeck has taught chemistry courses at all levels, including graduate and advanced graduate courses in statistical mechanics, reaction dynamics, and quantum mechanics. His research interests include condensed-phase reaction dynamics (homogeneous and heterogeneous), solute-solvent interactions (structural and dynamical characteristics), relaxation processes in solids, and electron transport at the nanometer scale.
Table of Contents
List of Foundations.
List of Justifications.
Preface.
Authors Biography.
List of Symbols.
Introduction.
1 Wave–Particle Duality.
2 Essential Aspects of Structure and Bonding.
3 Schrödinger Equation.
4 Hydrogen Atom.
5 Atoms and the Variational Principle.
6 A Quantitative View of Chemical Bonding.
7 Bonding Described by Electron Pairs and Molecular Orbitals.
8 Molecules with π-Electron Systems.
9 Absorption of Light.
10 Emission of Light.
11 Nuclei: Particle and Wave Properties.
12 Nuclear Spin.
13 Solids and Intermolecular Forces.
14 Thermal Motion of Molecules.
15 Energy Distribution in Molecular Assemblies.
16 Work w, Heat q, and Internal Energy U.
17 Reversible Work wrev, Reversible Heat qrev, and Entropy S.
18 General Conditions for Spontaneity and its Application to Equilibria of Ideal Gases and Dilute Solutions.
19 Formal Thermodynamics and its Application to Phase Equilibria.
20 Real Gases.
21 Real Solutions.
22 Reaction Equilibria in Aqueous Solutions and Biosystems.
23 Chemical Reactions in Electrochemical Cells.
24 Chemical Kinetics.
25 Transition States and Chemical Reactions.
26 Macromolecules.
27 Organized Molecular Assemblies.
28 Supramolecular Machines.
29 Origin of Life: Matter Carrying Information.
Index.