Basic Chemical Thermodynamics (Fifth Edition) [Paperback]

E. Brian Smith (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 1860944469 | ISBN-13: 978-1860944468 | Publication Date: June 17, 2004 | Edition: 5

This widely acclaimed text, now in its fifth edition and translated into many languages, continues to present a clear, simple and concise introduction to chemical thermodynamics. An examination of equilibrium in the everyday world of mechanical objects provides the starting point for an accessible account of the factors that determine equilibrium in chemical systems. This straightforward approach leads students to a thorough understanding of the basic principles of thermodynamics, which are then applied to a wide range of physico-chemical systems. The book also discusses the problems of non-ideal solutions and the concept of activity, and provides an introduction to the molecular basis of thermodynamics. Over five editions, the views of teachers of the subject and their students have been incorporated. The result is a little more rigour in specifying the dimensions within logarithmic expressions, the addition of more worked examples and the inclusion of a simple treatment of the molecular basis of thermodynamics. Students on courses in thermodynamics will continue to find this popular book an excellent introductory text.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

E Brian Smith received his first degree and his doctorate at Liverpool University. After two years at the University of California, Berkeley, with Professor Joel H Hildebrand, he returned to become Lecturer in Physical Chemistry and Fellow of St Catherine’s College, Oxford. In 1988 he was appointed Master of St Catherine’s College. From 1993 to 2001 he was Vice-Chancellor of Cardiff University. His research interests include intermolecular forces and the biological effects of simple gases. In the latter area he has contributed to the understanding of the mechanisms of general anaesthesia, inert-gas narcosis and decompression sickness, and has been active in applying the results of his investigations to improving the techniques of deep-sea diving.

Product Details

• Paperback: 180 pages
• Publisher: World Scientific Publishing Company; 5 edition (June 17, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1860944469
• ISBN-13: 978-1860944468
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 4.5 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.1 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #638,382 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2.0 out of 5 stars Good coverage with lame logic, December 6, 2009

By 

K. Hoshino (Corvallis, OR USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Basic Chemical Thermodynamics (Fifth Edition) (Hardcover)

I borrowed the 4th edition of this book from the library, so it may not be applied for this 5th edition.
It covers wide range of basics of thermodynamics, requires readers only a entry-level chemistry knowledge, and contains only less than 200 pages, which makes people feel easier to read through.
Actually, chapters up to 3 are easy to follow and digest, but the following chapters made my eyes rolled over and over again.
The explanation is too short and the algebra employed are sloppy and lame.
Making things even worse, there are many typos, which I hope fixed in 5th.
It would be good for people who always doubt about things like me to deepen the knowledge, looking up the Internet, other books, or whatever, but not good for those who tend to believe things without doubt.
I found the thermodynamics written by Enrico Fermi is much better for the starters, even though it employs a little bit old way to express things like thermodynamic potential for the Gibbs free energy and the free energy for the Helmholtz free energy.

5.0 out of 5 stars Brief understandable treatment, October 13, 2005

By 

Dave Schlenker - See all my reviews

This review is from: Basic Chemical Thermodynamics (Fifth Edition) (Paperback)

The subject is treated at a basic level, but provides a good overview for a reader that has little prior experience with the subject. This would be a great supplement to the typical first-year general chemistry text, and would set the stage for further work in more formal courses.