This is a new undergraduate textbook on physical chemistry by Horia Metiu published as four separate paperback volumes. These four volumes on physical chemistry combine a clear and thorough presentation of the theoretical and mathematical aspects of the subject with examples and applications drawn from current industrial and academic research. By using the computer to solve problems that include actual experimental data, the author is able to cover the subject matter at a practical level. The books closely integrate the theoretical chemistry being taught with industrial and laboratory practice. This approach enables the student to compare theoretical projections with experimental results, thereby providing a realistic grounding for future practicing chemists and engineers. Each volume of Physical Chemistry includes Mathematica® and Mathcad® Workbooks on downloadable resources.
Metiu's four separate volumes-Thermodynamics, Statistical Mechanics, Kinetics, and Quantum Mechanics-offer built-in flexibility by allowing the subject to be covered in any order.
These textbooks can be used to teach physical chemistry without a computer, but the experience is enriched substantially for those students who do learn how to read and write Mathematica® or Mathcad® programs. A TI-89 scientific calculator can be used to solve most of the exercises and problems.
® Mathematica is a registered trademark of Wolfram Research, Inc.
® Mathcad is a registered trademark of Mathsoft Engineering & Education, Inc.
2. Dynamical Variables and Operators
3. The Eigenvalue Problem
4. What Do We Measure When We Study Quantum Systems?
5. Some Results are Certain, Most are Just Probable
6. The Physical Interpretation of the Wave Function
7. Tunneling
8. Particle in a Box
9. Light Emission and Absorption: the Phenomena
10. Light Emission and Absorption: Einstein's Phenomenological Theory
11. Light Absorption: A Result of Quantum Theory
12. Light Emission and Absorption by a Particle in a Box and a Harmonic Oscillator
13. Two-Particle Systems
14. Angular Momentum
15. Two-Particle Systems: the Radial and Angular Schrödinger Equations
16. The Energy Eigenstates of a Diatomic Molecule
17. Diatomic Molecule: Its Spectroscopy
18. Hydrogen Atom: the Eigenstates
19. The Spin of the Electron and its Role in Spectroscopy
20. The Hydrogen Molecule
21. Nuclear Magnetic Resonance and Electron Spin Resonance
Appendices 1-2
Biography
Horia Metiu
Horia Metiu has created a significant set of volumes on undergraduate physical chemistry. The integration of Mathematica and Mathcad workbooks into the four texts provides instructors with an attractive new option in teaching. Metiua's writing style is folksy and the graphics minimal, a refreshing approach¦.Taken as a whole, the four volumes on physical chemistry by Metiu are impressive, particularly Thermodynamics and Quantum Mechanics¦.Without a doubt, the four textbooks provide essential materials of great utility to physical chemistry instructors. The bottom line is that the set of four volumes is a must have-a keeper- as a novel resource or invaluable classroom tool.Journal of Chemical Education
February 2008, Vol. 85, No. 2, p. 206
