Reaction Kinetics (Oxford Science Publications) [Paperback]

Michael J. Pilling (Author), Paul W. Seakins (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 18, 1996 | ISBN-10: 019855527X | ISBN-13: 978-0198555278 | Edition: 2

Reaction kinetics is central to the study of chemistry. Kinetic studies can provide both an insight into the detailed molecular mechanisms of elementary reactions and practical information which can be used to unravel complex chemical problems such as the formation of the ozone hole. This modern, accessible text begins with an introduction to the importance and relevance of chemical kinetics, and then describes and explains the experimental and theoretical studies of elementary reactions. The applications of kinetics to complex phenomena such as chain reactions and photochemistry are then described, emphasizing how these systems are built up of individual elementary reactions. Examples from the fields of chain reactions, atmospheric chemistry, explosions, oscillating reactions, and photochemistry are then explored in greater detail. Worked examples and problems throughout the text allow students to obtain a detailed understanding of the field. Boxed inserts explain advanced topics more clearly.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Best kinetics book I have ever seen in years. It is modern, rigorous and interesting."--Sidney Toby, Rutgers University--Piscataway

"This book will fill a real need for students of kinetics, be they formally enrolled in a course or just interested in how measurements, mathematics, and dynamics come together in experimental design; they will be able to access this material through its thorough development. The book replaces other kinetics works because it truly covers modern kinetics logically, carefully, mathematically and succinctly. -- Choice

About the Author

M J. Pilling and Paul W. Seakins are both at University of Leeds.

Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA; 2 edition (January 18, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 019855527X
• ISBN-13: 978-0198555278
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.6 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #654,181 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book for Kineticists and Non-kineticists alike!, December 10, 2000

By 

Dominic McGrath (Tucson, AZ) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Reaction Kinetics (Oxford Science Publications) (Paperback)

As a chemist, but not a physical chemist, I am often in need of not only a refresher in many topics within chemistry but also a more in-depth treatment of a topic. It is often difficult finding information about topics outisde of your major area of interest that are on an appropriate level to allow you to learn quickly without being overwhelmed, yet learn at a sufficient level of depth as to use your new-found knowledge effectively. I have encountered several books that I have found particularly useful in this regard. Pilling and Seakins is one of them.

The authors do a great job of mixing the theoretical treatment with actual data and data analysis (a boon to those of us who use kinetics as a tool, but do not focus on its theory in our research!). I have used this book in my own research as well as in a supplement to teaching a graduate class in Physical Organic Chemistry. The description of collision and transition state theory was particularly helpful in this latter regard. Further advantages of this book is that it is quite well written and makes use of excellent figures and diagrams.

If you own one book on chemical kinetics, this is the one for you.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars a handy companion for undergrads, February 24, 2006

By 

S. Yates (Bath, UK) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Reaction Kinetics (Oxford Science Publications) (Paperback)

If you, like me, are an undergraduate doing quite a bit of physical chemistry, this is an excellent book to have around. It treats a number of different topics in a fairly good deal of depth and quite clearly. As long as you already have a feel for basic kinetics (how to derive a rate equation, using the steady-state assumption, etc.), then you'll easily dive into this book. If you're not particularly comfortable with that kind of material, it's probably advisable to look elsewhere first (Atkins if you're feeling brave) before using this book, as it doesn't give those topics a thorough treatment but rather quickly proceeds to talking about techniques for studying fast reactions etc. This is a very good book and singularly is the reason I did well on my recent kinetics exam.

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars A bit too brief, April 30, 2009

By 

Trish "The NASA Nerd" (Pittsburgh, PA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Reaction Kinetics (Oxford Science Publications) (Paperback)

Essentially the "Cliff Notes" of chemical kinetics. As a grad. student I much prefer Steinfeld's Chemical Kinetics & Dynamics.