BuMa_2010_04 - Deutsche Bunsengesellschaft für Physikalische ...

DEUTSCHE BUNSEN-GESELLSCHAFT
H. Kuhn, H.-D. Försterling, D.H.Waldeck
Principles of Physical Chemistry
1036 Seiten, 2. Aufl age
John Wiley&Sons, 105,99 €
The second edition of “Principles of Physical Chemistry” by H.
Kuhn, H.-D. Försterling and D. H. Waldeck aims to unify knowledge
in the fi eld of physical chemistry. The book has clear pedagogical
intentions: the authors aim to provide a global scientifi
c methodology for the comprehension of chemical systems
at different length scales, solidly based on general principles.
The authors choose to progress along the length scale from
atoms to their assemblies, molecules, and from individual
molecules to their assemblies, gas and condensed phases,
rather than treating the subjects independently. For this purpose,
they build bridges from the quantum theory of atoms to
complex molecular assemblies.
Their goal is reached mainly due to the way in which the book
is organized. In each chapter, the authors remind the reader
of the current position on the path, summarize what has been
learnt and show in which direction the argument will proceed.
The unity of the approach is thus clearly visible. The book
therefore achieves something which is not possible in the usual
series of lectures on physical chemistry, where subjects are
taught by different lecturers at different times during a scientifi
c education.
The fi rst two chapters, where the authors educate the reader
about the fundamentals of the scientifi c approach, are particularly
important. These two chapters are especially enjoyable,
and teachers in particular will benefi t from thinking about the
ideas expounded in these pages. The way in which wave-particle
duality and the concept of the wave function are introduced
is based on simple physical arguments about waves and is particularly
instructive.
The authors want the reader to develop an intuitive understanding
of chemical phenomena. They show that theories
are built step by step, with examples given throughout the
text. The authors thus do not wait for a theory to be formally
derived before using it to explain experimental facts. Complexity
is shown to arise from simple building blocks. In this respect,
the example of the particle in a box plays a central role
in the fi rst part of the book, where one progresses from the
fundamentals of quantum theory to intermolecular forces. The
authors take advantage of the simplicity of this model to introduce
several concepts of the quantum theory of atoms and
molecules. It is also used to describe π-electrons in molecular
systems and the emission of light. It is employed in such a way
that it appears natural to introduce electron density functional
Dr. Frédéric Leroy
Theoretical Physical Chemistry Group,
Eduard-Zintl-Institute for Inorganic and Physical Chemistry, Darmstadt University of Technology
Petersenstraße 22, D-64287 Darmstadt
E-Mail: f.leroy@theo.chemie.tu-darmstadt.de
BUCHBESPRECHUNG
theory and one is not astonished to see it again in the quantum
approach to the chemistry of solids.
By the end of Chapter 13, the authors have fi nished treating
quantum theory, from wave-particle duality to the electronic
structure of molecules. A quantitative view of chemical bonding
has been introduced and the absorption and emission of light
has been covered. Several spectroscopic methods have been
introduced and related to the quantum mechanical properties
of molecules and intermolecular forces.
Starting from the fourteenth chapter, the authors begin to set
up the basis of thermodynamics. Here again they follow their
initial approach of introducing ideas about how an assembly
of molecules behaves on the basis of what has been learnt
from their individual description. This allows the gradual introduction
of statistical mechanical concepts. The idea of entropy
and its application to phase equilibria then sound natural.
Although formal thermodynamics is given an entire chapter,
it comes after concepts such as heat, work, and energy have
been introduced and fully discussed.
It is a characteristic of the book that mathematics are never
given a dominant role. Nevertheless, rigorous and detailed
derivations can be found on the supporting CD-ROM, where
the authors take care not to neglect any step in a derivation.
The CD-ROM also contains problems, as well as conventional
and interactive Mathcad exercises.
The central role played by thermodynamics is convincingly illustrated
in the chapter devoted to reaction equilibria in aqueous
solutions and biological systems. The chapter dealing with electrochemical
cells illustrates the interplay between fundamental
and practical concepts in the conversion of energy. There are
also chapters dealing with real gases and equations of states,
real solutions, chemical kinetics, and transition state theory.
The two chapters that introduce soft matter complement very
well the aim of presenting a unifi ed approach. A chapter devoted
to supramolecular machines puts the reader in contact
with current applied research.
The book ends with Chapter 29, entitled: “Origin of Life: Matter
Carrying Information”. The statistical approach and the other
concepts introduced in the book are used here to discuss the
physical approach to the ultimately complex system: life. This
chapter is as enjoyable to read as the fi rst two. Here, all that
which makes this book unique can be found.
The book is broadly intended for scientists whose activities are
related to physical chemistry. It is also intended for undergraduate
and graduate students, although only the most advanced
of these will be able to fully benefi t from its contents.
Frédéric Leroy
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