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Physical Chemistry
A leading book for 80 years, Silbey & Alberty’s Physical Chemistry features exceptionally clear explanations of the concepts and methods of physical chemistry for students who have had a year of calculus and a year of physics. The basic theory of chemistry is presented from the viewpoint of academic physical chemists, but the many practical applications of physical chemistry are integrated throughout the text. The problems in the text also reflect a skillful blend of theory and practical applications. This text is ideally suited for a standard undergraduate physical chemistry course taken by chemistry, chemical engineering, and biochemistry majors in their junior or senior year.
960 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1979
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
October 10, 2022
MIT 5.60 Thermodynamics & Kinetics
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q7mrS...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q7mrS...
January 19, 2012
I used this (third) edition of Silbey & Alberty for several years in teaching an undergraduate PChem course. Not because it's perfect, but just because it's less imperfect than most of the others.
It has all of the standard topics, in a fairly standard order. The notation is consistent, and not too annoying. (Everyone will find something to object to in every book, whether it's the sign convention for heat and work, the adherence to IUPAC symbology for heats of vaporization, or the variables used for quantum numbers.) The level of detail is appropriate for students with a decent background in calculus: it provides derivations for most (but not all) topics that I would expect, but doesn't go into so much depth that you find yourself skipping large sections in a standard undergrad course. The students didn't enjoy reading this text, but I have yet to find a PChem text that most students will enjoy on their first pass. The in-text problems are generally pretty good. There are a few errors in the solutions manual (as always), but the text is fairly mature.
On the whole, Silbey & Alberty is a good, inoffensive choice for a traditional PChem course , especially if you don't like the Atkins. But if you have the flexibility to consider a quantum-first approach or a bio emphasis, there are better choices.
It has all of the standard topics, in a fairly standard order. The notation is consistent, and not too annoying. (Everyone will find something to object to in every book, whether it's the sign convention for heat and work, the adherence to IUPAC symbology for heats of vaporization, or the variables used for quantum numbers.) The level of detail is appropriate for students with a decent background in calculus: it provides derivations for most (but not all) topics that I would expect, but doesn't go into so much depth that you find yourself skipping large sections in a standard undergrad course. The students didn't enjoy reading this text, but I have yet to find a PChem text that most students will enjoy on their first pass. The in-text problems are generally pretty good. There are a few errors in the solutions manual (as always), but the text is fairly mature.
On the whole, Silbey & Alberty is a good, inoffensive choice for a traditional PChem course , especially if you don't like the Atkins. But if you have the flexibility to consider a quantum-first approach or a bio emphasis, there are better choices.
May 2, 2013
Great starter book for P-Chem especially if you want to make it thru the class alive as well as sane!!!!!!
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews