Molecular Symmetry and Group Theory : A Programmed Introduction to Chemical Applications, 2nd Edition [Paperback]

Alan Vincent (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0471489395 | ISBN-13: 978-0471489399 | Publication Date: January 31, 2001 | Edition: 2

This substantially revised and expanded new edition of the bestselling textbook, addresses the difficulties that can arise with the mathematics that underpins the study of symmetry, and acknowledges that group theory can be a complex concept for students to grasp.

Written in a clear, concise manner, the author introduces a series of programmes that help students learn at their own pace and enable to them understand the subject fully. Readers are taken through a series of carefully constructed exercises, designed to simplify the mathematics and give them a full understanding of how this relates to the chemistry.

This second edition contains a new chapter on the projection operator method. This is used to calculate the form of the normal modes of vibration of a molecule and the normalised wave functions of hybrid orbitals or molecular orbitals.

The features of this book include:
* A concise, gentle introduction to symmetry and group theory
* Takes a programmed learning approach
* New material on projection operators, and the calcultaion of normal modes of vibration and normalised wave functions of orbitals
This book is suitable for all students of chemistry taking a first course in symmetry and group theory.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"the best introduction to the subject, especially for those whose mathematics is weak." (Chemistry and Industry, 2nd April 2001)

".I recommend this book..." (Education in Chemistry, September 2002)

From the Back Cover

The new edition of this best-selling textbook addresses the difficulties that can arise with the mathematics that underpins the study of symmetry, and acknowledges that group theory can be a complex concept for students to grasp. Molecular Symmetry and Group Theory is based around a series of programmes that help students learn at their own pace and enable them to understand the subject fully. Readers are taken through a series of carefully constructed exercises, designed to simplify the mathematics and give them a full understanding of how this relates to the chemistry. The second edition has been revised and expanded and includes a new chapter on the projection operator method. This is used to calculate the form of the normal modes of vibration of a molecule and the normalised wave functions of hybrid orbitals or molecular orbitals.
Features:
* A concise, gentle introduction to symmetry and group theory
* Takes a programmed learning approach
* New material on projection operators, and the calculation of normal modes of vibration and normalised wave functions of orbitals.

Product Details

• Paperback: 202 pages
• Publisher: Wiley; 2 edition (January 31, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0471489395
• ISBN-13: 978-0471489399
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.4 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.1 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #257,675 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #8 in Books > Professional & Technical > Professional Science > Chemistry > Molecular Chemistry
  • #18 in Books > Professional & Technical > Professional Science > Chemistry > Physical & Theoretical > Quantum Chemistry
  • #61 in Books > Professional & Technical > Professional Science > Chemistry > Inorganic

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great for beginners, May 24, 2000

By 

Matthew A. Thompson "Man Among Men" (Alexandria, VA, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Molecular Symmetry and Group Theory: A Programmed Introduction to Chemical Application (Paperback)

If you don't have the math background it often takes to penetrate Cotton, this book could be the answer. For learning the quick and dirty basics of the use of group theory for molecules, this is the book. The only problems are its sparseness and the high price for a 156 page book. Excellent for self-teaching, though.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Best in its field, February 12, 2007

By 

Alper Nese (Pittsburgh, PA, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Molecular Symmetry and Group Theory : A Programmed Introduction to Chemical Applications, 2nd Edition (Paperback)

I bought this book because it is advised from one of my classmates of Transition metal chemistry.
If you need to learn molecular symmetry, this book is very good. It teachs in a logical order. The only not good part may be its size. I prefer bigger books so you can easily bend. So you should be polite to this book when reading.
It is also expensive for its size but if you need to learn the molecular symmetry and/or group theory, this book is strongly recommended :)
I hope this review helps.
Happy wishes

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A nice book, October 26, 2010

By 

Amanda - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Molecular Symmetry and Group Theory : A Programmed Introduction to Chemical Applications, 2nd Edition (Paperback)

Molecular Symmetry and Group Theory is a nice guide for students to evaluate symmetry of molecules and their implications on molecular vibrations. It's structure in programmes and it's approach are so helpful.