With the development of a variety of exciting new areas of research
involving computational chemistry, nano- and smart materials, and
applications of the recently discovered graphene, there can be no doubt
that physical chemistry is a vitally important field. It is also
perceived as the most daunting branch of chemistry, being necessarily
grounded in physics and mathematics and drawing as it does on quantum
mechanics, thermodynamics, and statistical thermodynamics.
With his typical clarity and hardly a formula in sight, Peter Atkins'
Very Short Introduction explores the contributions physical chemistry
has made to all branches of chemistry. Providing insight into its
central concepts Atkins reveals the cultural contributions physical
chemistry has made to our understanding of the natural world.
About the Series:
Oxford's Very Short Introductions series offers concise and original
introductions to a wide range of subjects--from Islam to Sociology,
Politics to Classics, Literary Theory to History, and Archaeology to the
Bible. Not simply a textbook of definitions, each volume in this series
provides trenchant and provocative--yet always balanced and
complete--discussions of the central issues in a given discipline or
field. Every Very Short Introduction gives a readable evolution of
the subject in question, demonstrating how the subject has developed and
how it has influenced society. Eventually, the series will encompass
every major academic discipline, offering all students an accessible and
abundant reference library. Whatever the area of study that one deems
important or appealing, whatever the topic that fascinates the general
reader, the Very Short Introductions series has a handy and
affordable guide that will likely prove indispensable.
