This book HAS Chemistry (Physical Chemistry - Peter Atkins, Julio De Paula)

Member Name: Boriski

Product:	Physical Chemistry - Peter Atkins, Julio De Paula
Date:	06/09/01 (52 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Well laid out, CD enhances learning, lots of examples

Disadvantages: Extended answers to test questions must be bought separately

At my University (Imperial College, London) This is the bible for Physical Chemistry. Used extensively by both the Chemistry and Chemical Engineering departments, it has been the text book of choice pretty much ever since the first edition was released back in 1978.

Book Structure

The book is divided into an introduction and 3 Parts

Conventions - Background etc..
i) Equilibrium
ii) Structure
iii) Change

*Conventions*

explains useful definitions and basic principles required to begin using the book

*Equilibrium*

Contains the first 10 Chapters.
This section covers properties of gases, Chemical Thermodynamics, Phase changes and of course equilibrium.

*Structure*

Contains Chapters 11-23
This section covers Quantum Theory, Atomic and Molecular Structure, Spectroscopy, properties of molecules and Chemical Analysis techniques as well as a section on exceptions such as colloids.

*Change*

Contains Chapter 24-29
This section covers Kinetics, Reaction dynamics and Physical changes

General Book Structure

Atkin's Physical Chemistry is a good textbook due to the way it has been laid out. In addition to the changes introduced for the better each time there is a re-write its strength has always been the worked examples and language used.

Unlike many textbooks the worked examples are thorough with many diagrams to aid understanding. Explanations are carefully worded so as to not unnecessarily complicate like many science text books do. At each step in an individual chapter there are self-test questions and similar examples.

The book is logically structured so that understanding of a chapter depends on the previous one being understood (usually restricted to within a single part as opposed to the whole book). The book itself reads almost like a lecture course with explanation - example - questions. At t
he end of each chapter is a full set of questions similar to a test.

I highly recommend this text book on the grounds that it helped me pass my physical Chemistry examination. It is logically laid out and makes sure a particular point is understood without overly labouring the point.
In addition to this a packaged CD included with the book helps to explain various sections with animations that would otherwise not be possible.

A Physical Chemistry essential!

Summary: