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Physical Chemistry for the Chemical Sciences

Raymond Chang Williams College
John W. Thoman Jr. Williams College

Following in the wake of Chang's two other best-selling physical chemistry textbooks (Physical Chemistry for the Chemical and Biological Sciences and Physical Chemistry for the Biosciences), this new title introduces laser spectroscopist Jay Thoman (Williams College) as co-author.

Print Book, ISBN 978-1-891389-69-6, US $141
eBook, eISBN 978-1-938787-68-3, US $90
Copyright 2014
968 pages, Clothbound

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Summary

Following in the wake of Chang’s two other best-selling physical chemistry textbooks (Physical Chemistry for the Chemical and Biological Sciences and Physical Chemistry for the Biosciences), this new title introduces laser spectroscopist Jay Thoman (Williams College) as co-author. This comprehensive new text has been extensively revised both in level and scope. Targeted to a mainstream physical chemistry course, this text features extensively revised chapters on quantum mechanics and spectroscopy, many new chapter-ending problems, and updated references, while biological topics have been largely relegated to the previous two textbooks. Other topics added include the law of corresponding states, the Joule-Thomson effect, the meaning of entropy, multiple equilibria and coupled reactions, and chemiluminescence and bioluminescence. One way to gauge the level of this new text is that students who have used it will be well prepared for their GRE exams in the subject. Careful pedagogy and clear writing throughout combine to make this an excellent choice for your physical chemistry course.

Translated into Korean.


Resources

List of Adoptions
Detailed Contents
Preface
Errata
Link to the WebAssign Page for This Title

Table of Contents

Chapter 1 Introduction and Gas Laws

Chapter 2 Kinetic Theory of Gases

Chapter 3 The First Law of Thermodynamics

Chapter 4 The Second Law of Thermodynamics

Chapter 5 Gibbs and Helmholtz Energies

Chapter 6 Nonelectrolyte Solutions

Chapter 7 Electrolyte Solutions

Chapter 8 Chemical Equilibrium

Chapter 9 Electrochemistry

Chapter 10 Quantum Mechanics

Chapter 11 Application of Quantum Mechanics to Spectroscopy

Chapter 12 Electronic Structure of Atoms

Chapter 13 Molecular Electronic Structure and the Chemical Bond

Chapter 14 Electronic Spectroscopy and Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy

Chapter 15 Photochemistry

Chapter 16 Chemical Kinetics

Chapter 17 Intermolecular Forces

Chapter 18 The Solid State

Chapter 19 The Liquid State

Chapter 20 Statistical Thermodynamics

Appendices

Glossary

Answers to Even-Numbered Computational Problems

Index

Reviews

“In selecting a physical chemistry textbook from the several that are available, there is much to like about this book. If you are considering physical chemistry textbooks for a course, then this book should be on your list…”
-Journal of Chemical Education

“With expanded coverage and more depth, Chang’s newest book is now an excellent fit for students on the BS Chemistry track. It will provide them with the rigorous foundations knowledge they need for advanced studies in any sub-disciplines of chemistry, including biochemistry/biophysical chemistry.”
-Taina Chao, State University of New York, Purchase

“The most student-friendly P Chem text available.”
-Howard Mayne, University of New Hampshire

“I was very pleased to learn that Chang and Thoman have produced a new text for the traditional two-semester Physical Chemistry for Chemistry majors course. I found the same engaging and accessible writing style I have come to expect and appreciate from Chang’s textbooks. The new book’s coverage of atomic and molecular quantum mechanics, spectroscopy, and statistical thermodynamics brings it into line with all the essential topics of a rigorous P Chem class. I expect this textbook will be high on the list for instructors seeking a thorough, integrated approach to the subject of Physical Chemistry, combined with a clear and conversational writing style.”
-Alan Van Orden, Colorado State University

“The new Chang/Thoman text is very good. I like its approach and it is very easy to read and well organized. I especially like that the kinetic theory of gases is introduced at the beginning of the text. This makes the later derivation of heat capacities easy to explain and understand. In my opinion, this text makes a much better approach to Physical Chemistry than the other texts currently sold.”
-Mark Obrovac, Dalhousie University

Raymond Chang

Raymond Chang Williams College

Raymond Chang was born in Hong Kong and grew up in Shanghai and Hong Kong, China. He received his B.Sc. degree in chemistry from London University, England and his Ph.D. in physical chemistry from Yale University. After doing postdoctoral research at Washington University and teaching for a year at Hunter College of the City University of New York, he joined the chemistry department at Williams College. Chang has served on the American Chemical Society Examination Committee and the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) Committee. He has also served as editor of The Chemical Educator and has authored books on general chemistry and spectroscopy.

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John W. Thoman Jr.

John W. Thoman Jr. Williams College

John Thoman was born and raised in Rochester, New York. He received his B.A. in chemistry from Williams College and earned his Ph.D. from MIT. After a postdoctoral fellowship with Dave Chandler at the Combustion Research Facility in Livermore California, he returned to Williams College to join the faculty. His research employs laser spectroscopy to investigate the dynamics of small molecules. Working with colleagues, he also studies the chemistry of the local environment. Thoman teaches introductory, physical, and environmental chemistry, a course on the chemistry and physics of cooking, and a January-term course "Glass and Glassblowing". He served for a decade on the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) Committee.

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