Polymer Physics (Chemistry) (Hardcover)

by M. Rubinstein (Author), Ralph H. Colby (Author) "Much of human history has been influenced by the availability of materials..." (more)
Key Phrases: simple reptation model, unentangled solutions, gelation regime, Monte Carlo, New York, Clarendon Press (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review

"...the book being reviewed is simply great. Judging by its clear style, its selection of topics, or its self contained material, it is an extremely well thought out, thorough, and compeltely laudable book in every way...This is a book worth reading."--Journal of Statistical Physics


Product Description
This is a polymer physics textbook for upper level undergraduates and first year graduate students. Any student with a working knowledge of calculus, physics and chemistry should be able to read this book. The essential tools of the polymer physical chemist or engineer are derived in this book without skipping any steps. The book is a self contained treatise that could also serve as a useful reference for scientists and engineers working woth polymers. While no prior knowledge of polymers is assumed, the book goes far beyond introductory polymer textx in the scope of what is covered. The fundamental concepts required to fully understand polymer melts, solutions and gels in terms of both static structure and dynamics are explained in detail. Problems at the end of each chapter provide the reader with the opportunity to apply what has been learned to practice. The book is divided into four parts. After an introduction in Chapter 1, where the necessary concepts from a first cours on polymers are summarized, the conformations of single polymer chains are treated in Part 1. Part 2 deals with the thermodynamics of polymer solutions and melts, including the conformations of chains in those states. Part 3 applies the concepts of Part 2 to the formation and properties of polymer networks. Finally, Part 4 explains the essential aspects of how polymers move in both melt and solution states. In all cases, attention is restricted to concepts that are firmly entrenched in the field.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 454 pages
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA (June 26, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 019852059X
• ISBN-13: 978-0198520597
• Product Dimensions: 10.1 x 7.5 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #552,606 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

  Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

  #5 in	Books > Science > Chemistry > Chemical Physics
  #6 in	Books > Science > Chemistry > Polymers & Macromolecules
  #91 in	Books > Professional & Technical > Professional Science > Physics > Solid State Physics

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Super Intro!!!, January 25, 2006

By	SineWave "Caltech Ph.D. student" (Pasadena, CA) - See all my reviews

This book is very straightforward reading with nice intuitive ways of thinking about polymer behavior. I used it during an intro grad school class and still refer back to it first when I'm thinking about polymers. It has just the right mixture of explanation and equation for anyone with a background in Calculus and a little bit of experience with statistical mechanics (really... just a little bit). A great book.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Current and comprehensive textbook, November 7, 2007

By	Vivek Sharma "Vivek" (Cambridge / Boston, MA, USA) - See all my reviews

Polymer Physics by Michael Rubinstein and Raplh Colby is a fascinating introduction to the realm of polymer statics, dynamics and phase behavior. It embodies the depth of Flory's classic text on Principals of Polymer Chemistry, classic delight of de Gennes' Scaling concepts in Polymers and the rigor of Theory of Polymer Dynamics by Doi and Edwards. The authors manage to do this with a textbook authority and clarity, which definitely makes this book a definite buy for anyone interested in polymer physics.

The book has four main sections. The first part talks about the polymer statics: ideal and real chains and how their size and size dependent properties are characterized. Then comes thermodynamics of polymer blends and solutions, which includes a discussion on polymer brushes and adsorption of chains. The authors devote the third section to networks and gels and this part includes a very thorough discussion of gelation, rubber elasticity and swelling. The last section is devoted to the polymer dyanmics, where chain models and polymer relaxation ideas are developed and discussed. The last two sections of the book cover topics which are of immense current interest, and have had original and critical contributions from the authors. Most highly recommended, both for beginners and for experts.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Polymer Physics Bible..., January 24, 2007

By	J. R. Torres (RI United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

As a polymer physicist, among other things (mechanical engineer/tribologist) I can tell you that this is must for anybody trying to understand polymer physics. Whether you are a scientist or worked in applied sciences (engineering) this will make a great text book and reference.