This vibrant book takes the reader on an exciting journey through much of physical sciences by explaining the wide ranging influence of a single equation, the Boltzmann factor.
This vibrant book takes the reader on an exciting journey through much of physical sciences by explaining the wide ranging influence of a single equation, the Boltzmann factor. This simple relation provides the key to understanding a remarkable variety of phenomena ranging from, for example, the behavior of atmospheric pressure at altitude, the appearance of molecular spectra and the factors that determine chemical equilibrium. Compact and clearly written book, this book, which requires no advanced mathematical skills, will enrich and deepen students'' understanding of the molecular sciences. The insight it provides will enable them to appreciate the elegant unity that underlies the subject.

Autorentext

E. Brian Smith

Inhalt

CONTENTS
Prologue

1. Introduction
2. Thermodynamic properties: Energy, entropy and equilibrium
3. Two-level system
4. Partial functions
5. Equally-spaced energy levels and simple solids
6. Perfect monatomic gases
7. Diatomic and polyatomic gases
8. Intermolecular energy
9. Equilibrium
10. Rates of reaction
11. Quantum statistics
    Epilogue
    Further reading
    Appendices
    Index