Molecular Thermodynamics [Hardcover]

Donald A. McQuarrie (Author), John D. Simon (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 189138905X | ISBN-13: 978-1891389054 | Publication Date: November 1, 1999

Evolved from McQuarrie and Simon's best-selling textbook, Physical Chemistry: A Molecular Approach, this text focuses in on the thermodynamics portion of the course. Although many of the chapters in Molecular Thermodynamics are similar to chapters in the larger physical chemistry text, new material has been added throughout along with three entirely new chapters on "The Energy Levels of Atoms and Molecules," "Thermodynamics of Electrochemical Cells," and "Nonequilibrium Thermodynamics." The text also includes five short "MathChapters," each with a special set of problems that will help students review and summarize the mathematical tools required to master the material. Worked examples and chapter-ending problems with solutions are also included throughout the book.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"An extremely large number of worked examples and end-of-chapter problems supplement this excellent book." -- Science & Technology<br /><br />"McQuarrie is emerging as one of the the best writers on undergrad thermodynamics and statistical mechanics around..." -- Journal of Statistical Physics<br /><br />"The writing is exceptionally clear, and explanations are lucid and sound." --The Chemical Educator

About the Author

DONALD A. McQUARRIE, University of California, Davis JOHN D. SIMON, Duke University

Product Details

• Hardcover: 656 pages
• Publisher: University Science Books (November 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 189138905X
• ISBN-13: 978-1891389054
• Product Dimensions: 10.3 x 7.2 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #171,810 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #53 in Books > Professional & Technical > Professional Science > Chemistry > Physical & Theoretical > Physical Chemistry
  • #63 in Books > Professional & Technical > Professional Science > Physics > Dynamics > Thermodynamics

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars title sums up a solid text that is not geared for engineering classes, April 11, 2007

By 

Shann Yu "Go Rice Owls!!!" (Nashville, TN) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Molecular Thermodynamics (Hardcover)

First off, if you are looking for an engineering thermo text, look elsewhere. The whole book is based on the theories behind the key thermo equations and laws, and how to derive all sorts of corollaries and equations from the basic few equations, and it does an awesome job at that.

Thus, if you were looking really small-scale, as in molecular-scale (the title does say "molecular thermo"), this book does a great job of teaching you the key concepts that you need to know. It covers a wide range of topics, starting off with four chapters on quantum mechanics and statistical thermodynamics before going on into three chapters on the three laws of thermo. The authors then spend the second half of the book looking at consequences and applications, which are mainly of importance to people studying chemical processes (topics such as solutions, chemical equilibria, free energies).

I'd say 85% of the book is math-based, so don't expect to make it through without thoroughly understanding vector calculus (although math chapters are included to provide crash courses in important mathematical concepts). If you do understand the math, this book is like a series of well-prepared lectures in paper form. The logic is clear and easy to follow, and problems provided are relevant and challenging enough to make you think and integrate concepts that are introduced.

So if you're looking for a thorough look at molecular thermo, more specifically for chemical processes at that scale, look no further. If you want a comprehensive math-based book to help you understand key equations in thermo, this is also for you. However, if you're anything else, especially if you're an engineer, you need applications and other mentally imaginable stuff that you will not find here.

2 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good Fundamental Thermodynamics, September 21, 2008

By 

Allan Vandyke (New Zealand) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Molecular Thermodynamics (Hardcover)

Some of the material in this book I have not required because I am studying macroscopic thermodynamics. However I can now see where some of the fundamentals come from and it has helped greatly with my stuides. The section on the Clausius-Clapeyron Equation is really well presented and easy to follow.