Customer Reviews

Physical Chemistry

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

A previous reviewer stated that physical chemistry is complicated. As a retired NASA researcher with 44 years experience specializing in physical chemistry I readily acknowledge that physical chemistry can be a very challenging subject. But, personally, I have also found it to be immensely fascinating and rewarding. There are several good textbooks on physical chemistry but, in my opinion, none is better than this one. Levine has done a very good job of presenting the material contained in an understandable fashion without compromising scientific rigor.

An earlier reviewer stated that this book is full of inaccuracies, but I strongly disagree with this statement. One example of an alleged inaccuracy which this reviewer cited is Levine`s statement that, at the velocity of light, photons have mass. This is a true statement; photons do indeed have both mass and momentum and thus can cause pressure on objects they strike. I beg you not to be biased against this outstanding book by this flawed review.

The topic of physical chemistry -- in which chemistry, physics, and mathematics overlap and interact -- clearly does not appeal to everyone. Even many chemists shun the rigors of physical chemistry as much as possible. But for those studying this important subject, I highly recommend this book. And some of you may even come to love this fascinating subject as I do.

I hear that there is a new edition... I know that it'll be just as good... Dr. Levine really presents everything in a very clear, well organized fashion... I particularly enjoy the entire section that deals with Stat. Mechanics towards the end... I must admit that the QM section is also brilliant... I think that last thing that really helps this book is the section that deals with Kinetic Molecular Theory, which is very sparsely dealt with in Atkins... I have to say that using this as a primary textbook and Atkins as a secondary textbook really presents all of the subject material. I really hope to met Dr. L someday... Perhaps he can autograph my well worn copy!!

Reviewers who rate this book poorly are obviously not physical science or engineering majors. They blame Professor Levine's textbook for their own inability to grasp physical chemistry. Professor Levine's textbook is well organized, starting with first principles. All important topics and results are derived and explained, and Professor Levine points out common mistakes made by students. Chapters end in more advanced topics that one won't appreciate until they are in graduate school. Having used this textbook as an undergraduate gave me a lead over my colleagues in physical chemistry topics. To this day, it is the text I refer to most often when I need to resort to a chemistry reference. Students who can't appreciate the value of this work need to consider purchasing The Illustrated Physical Chemistry for the Life Sciences.

Reviewers who rate this book poorly are obviously not physical science or engineering majors. They blame Professor Levine's textbook for their own inability to grasp physical chemistry. Professor Levine's textbook is well organized, starting with first principles. All important topics and results are derived and explained, and Professor Levine points out common mistakes made by students. Chapters end in more advanced topics that one won't appreciate until they are in graduate school. Having used this textbook as an undergraduate gave me a lead over my colleagues in physical chemistry topics. To this day, it is the text I refer to most often when I need to resort to a chemistry reference. Students who can't appreciate the value of this work need to consider purchasing The Illustrated Physical Chemistry for the Life Sciences.

Prof. Ira Levine - the author of this text -- teaches at my alma mater, Brooklyn College. When I was an undergraduate, I was fortunate enough to take him for both semesters of Physical Chemistry. I must admit that he is both a wonderful lecturer and a great author. Any serious Physical Chemistry student should consider his textbook, which is clearly, written and well-organized. If you have any questions regarding my experiences with the textbook and/or lectures, feel free to e-mail me.

Good descriptions coupled with thoughtful examples and challenging problems, however, the Quantum section is wanting, while the Thermo/Stat Mech is the best in the business. I've used this text as a reference in other courses in chemistry and physics. A physical chemistry text of this caliber is a must have for any physical chemistry student.

I'm Japanese student learning physical chemistry. This book is for students. The auther write this book truely helupful manner and I can learn thremodynamics with great fun without confusing. And now,I just enter the chapter "kinetic theory of gases" ,this chapter is also written so kindly. If you hope to understand physical chemistry seriously, get this book. This book will be your necessary.

Prof. Ira Levine - the author of this text -- teaches at my alma mater, Brooklyn College. When I was an undergraduate, I was fortunate enough to take him for both semesters of Physical Chemistry. I must admit that he is both a wonderful lecturer and a great author. Any serious Physical Chemistry student should consider his textbook, which is clearly, written and well-organized.

I took both semesters of P.Chem, failing the first because I took way too many upper level Chem Classes & working as well as a weak background in Calc 3. After studying Calc III by myself over the summer and retaking the class, I am able to absorb so much more and I'm ripping a new one in this class. It is truly an amazing book. Having a solid math background helps one to 'connect the dots' so-to-speak whenever Dr. Levine makes these 'shortcuts'. Tons of worked examples, difficult yet definitely possible homework problems and an acutual intelligent sense of humor are woven into the this book making an extremely complex and difficult subject..... engaging, lol. I spend close to 40hrs. per test and I'm thankful I'm putting myeself through this. Great book, just make sure you have a solid understanding of partial diff eqns. and complex algebra before you take it. Not meant for the weak of mind.

The physical chemistry text by Levine is a detailed text which I believe is best suited to the graduate student level. Someone who already has a basic understanding of physical chemistry, a solid calculus base, a course in matrix algebra, and a differential equations course can profit most from the detailed explainations in this book. This is especially true of the chapters on kinetic thermodynamics. Someone encountering physical chemistry for the first time may have a difficult time understanding the basics of the subject using this text.