Principles of Physical Chemistry

HANS KUHN became a Professor at the University of Basel in 1951. From 1953-1970 he was on the chair of the Institute of Physical Chemistry at the Philipps-University at Marburg, and in 1970 he became Director at the Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry - Karl-Friedrich-Bonhoeffer-Institut - until he retired in 1985. Professor Kuhn has published papers in such fields as polymer science, quantum chemistry, organized molecular assemblies, and the origin of life. HORST-DIETER FÖRSTERLING was a Professor in the Department of Physical Chemistry at the Philipps-University of Marburg from 1972 until his retirement in 1999. Professor FÖrsterling has taught physical chemistry courses and laboratory courses at all levels, including graduate and advanced graduate courses in spectroscopy, statistical mechanics, reaction kinetics, and quantum mechanics. His research interests include quantum chemistry, reaction mechanisms, oscillating chemical reactions, and chemical waves.

• Preface and Guided Tour Chapter 1 Wave-Particle Duality Chapter 2 Basic Features of Bonding Chapter 3 Schroedinger Equation and Variation Principle Chapter 4 Chemical Bonding and Pauli Principle Chapter 5 The Periodic Table and Simple Molecules Chapter 6 Bonding Described by Hybrid and Molecular Orbitals Chapter 7 Molecules with -Electron Systems Chapter 8 Absorption and Emission of Light Chapter 9 Nuclei: Particle and Wave Properties Chapter 10 Intermolecular Forces and Aggregates Chapter 11 Thermal Motion of Molecules Chapter 12 Energy and Distribution in Molecular Assemblies Chapter 13 Internal Energy U, Heat Q and Work W Chapter 14 Principle of Entropy Increase Chapter 15 Entropy S, and Heat Q Chapter 16 Criteria for Chemical Reactions Chapter 17 Chemical Equilbrium Chapter 18 Reactions in Aqueous Solutions and in Biosystems Chapter 19 Chemical Reactions in Electrochemical Cells Chapter 20 Real Systems Chapter 21 Kinetics of Chemical Reactions Chapter 22 Organised Molecular Assemblies Chapter 23 Supramolecular Machines Chapter 24 Origin of Life

"This admirable text provides a solid foundation in the fundamentals of physical chemistry including quantum mechanics and statistical mechanics/thermodynamics. The presentation assists the students in developing an intuitive understanding of the subjects as well as skill in quantitative manipulations. Particularly exciting is the treatment of larger molecular systems. With a firm but gentle hand, the student is led to several organized molecular assemblies including supramolecular systems and models of the origin of life. By learning of some of the most productive areas of current chemical research, the student may see the discipline as an active, young science in addition to its many accomplishments of earlier years. This text makes physical chemistry fun and demonstrates why so many find it a stimulating and rewarding profession."Professor Edel Wasserman, President (1999) of the American Chemical Society