Introduction to Physical Chemistry

Book excerpt: This textbook presents a straightforward introduction to physical chemistry. Whilst stressing the fundamentals of the subject, it avoids the mathematical details of specialised techniques such as quantum theory, nuclear magnetic resonance, and spectroscopy. In order to promote an appreciation of 3-dimensional structure in the study of stereo-chemistry and solids, many of the illustrations are presented as stereoscopic views, and directions for observing them are given in an appendix. Each chapter ends with a set of problems of varying degrees of difficulty, which will assist the student in gaining familiarity with the themes of the book, and in testing their ability to apply these themes to new situations; full solutions are provided. The S1 system of units is used throughout and appendices serve as a useful reference source of numerical data. Some mathematical arguments are also developed in appendices, because their inclusion in the text might distract readers from the development of the subject. The book has been developed front an earlier publication by the authors entitled Modern Physical Chemistry, published by Penguin Books Ltd.