Cohesion: A Scientific History of Intermolecular Forces [Hardcover]

J. S. Rowlinson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 28, 2002 | ISBN-10: 0521810086 | ISBN-13: 978-0521810081

Why does matter stick together? Why do gases condense to liquids, and liquids to solids? This book is a detailed historical account of how some of the leading scientists of the past three centuries have tried to answer these questions. Organized into four broad periods of advances in understanding, the first three are associated with Newton, Laplace and van der Waals, while the fourth gives an account of the successful use in the twentieth century of quantum and statistical mechanics to resolve most of the remaining problems.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Rowlinson has crowned a distinguished research career by writing a detailed technical history of the field in which he has made so many important contributions...I cannot praise this book enough." William B. Jensen, University of Cincinnati

"An intricate and intriguing saga...The book admirably fulfills its stated aim of serving historians of science and also physicists or physical chemists curious about the roots of modern approaches to intermolecular forces...Students of molecular science (and their teachers!) would do well to consult Rowlinson's book to see how discussions of topics such as capillarity, surface tension of liquids, elasticity of solids, and gas imperfection gain uncommon clarity from historical perspective, which brings out underlying assumptions and perplexing aspects often obscured in current texts. Those concerned about science literacy--either for the general public or for the coming generation of professionals--will find much material useful for seasoning their sermons." Physics Today

Book Description

Why does matter stick together? Why do gases condense to liquids, and liquids to solids? This book provides a detailed historical account of how some of the leading scientists of the past three centuries have tried to answer these questions. It will be of primary interest to physical chemists and physicists, as well as historians of science interested in the historical origins of our modern day understanding of cohesion.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 342 pages
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press (October 28, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0521810086
• ISBN-13: 978-0521810081
• Product Dimensions: 9.8 x 6.6 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,437,414 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars A tale of why we stick together, August 4, 2005

By 

Newton Ooi (Phoenix, Arizona United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Cohesion: A Scientific History of Intermolecular Forces (Hardcover)

This book provides the history of scientific thought into why things stick together. The book begins with a review of ancient Greek science, and the concept of atoms - objects too small to be divided. The text then picks up in the Enlightenment when scientists like Newton are pondering the question of how the physical world came about, and using experiments to guide their ideas. The major scientific discoveries and discoverers in the field of cohesion are detailed, including both theorists and experimentalists. These cover the fields of quantum mechanics, electrostatics, chemistry, and surface science. Basic principles are laid out such that any college student in science or engineering can understand the text. Overall, an insightful book, though not the most entertaining book to read.