Intermolecular and Surface Forces

by Jacob N. Israelachvili

This reference describes the role of various intermolecular and interparticle forces in determining the properties of simple systems such as gases, liquids and solids, with a special focus on more complex colloidal, polymeric and biological systems. The book provides a thorough foundation in theories and concepts of intermolecular forces, allowing researchers and students to recognize which forces are important in any particular system, as well as how to control these forces. This third edition is expanded into three sections and contains five new chapters over the previous edition.

· starts from the basics and builds up to more complex systems
· covers all aspects of intermolecular and interparticle forces both at the fundamental and applied levels
· multidisciplinary approach: bringing together and unifying phenomena from different fields
· This new edition has an expanded Part III and new chapters on non-equilibrium (dynamic) interactions, and tribology (friction forces)

Genres: Science, Physics, Chemistry, Engineering

710 pages, Hardcover

First published July 1, 1985

Reviews

[Amber · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is by far the most useful scientific book I used in graduate school. I pretty much read the entire thing before my oral qualifying exams, now as I write my thesis, it's currently on my desk marked with sticky notes.... However, I can only give it four stars for its dry wording and lack of plot.

Israelachvili really knows how to put those mathematical equations to use when describing collective membrane behavior, predicting phase separations and calculating equilibrium constants! Additionally, his treatment of electrostatics near surfaces and in colloids is outstanding.
I highly recommend this if you have insomnia or are currently a young graduate student in the physical biosciences.
Mwaha hahahahahahahhaha (mad scientist laughter).......

[Pranjal Singh · Rating 5 out of 5]

I used this book as a reference manual for the course ESC 507 Bioarchitecture at Penn State in Spring 2018. It was an excellent resource for me since I was not familiar with Surface Science.

I later on decided to develop skills in molecular dynamics using other books such as Computer Simulation of Liquids by MP Allen, Modeling Materials by Tadmor and Miller and Thermodynamics by HB Callen. Why this book still stays close to me is because it is very thoroughly written with a LOT of verbose text on the simplest things. While the other books follow up on the human-invented techniques in great details, when I read this book, I feel it is about the fundamental aspects of nature.

Yet, it helped me a lot in deriving some equations for a problem I was working on and felt I had no idea what I was looking for. It is just a wonderful book. Read it! 😊

[Darin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Israelachvili will win the Nobel Prize one day.

[Darin · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent update to the previous addition with material dealing with modern nano materials and additional problems at the end of the chapter.