Includes bibliographical references [p. 197-198] and index.

Preface to the Second Edition -- Preface to the First Edition -- The Tools of the Trade: Mathematical Concepts -- Units of Measurement -- Common Functions and Chemical Applications -- Definition of Functions and Inverse Functions -- Polynomial Functions -- Trigonometric Functions -- Vectors and Directions -- Exponentials and Logarithms -- Properties of Exponentials -- Applications of Exponentials and Logarithms -- Nuclear Disintegrations and Reaction Kinetics -- Hydrogen Ion Concentrations -- Essentials of Calculus for Chemical Applications -- Derivatives -- Calculating Derivatives of General Functions -- Second and Higher Derivatives -- Applications of Derivatives -- Finding Maxima and Minima -- Relations Between Physical Observables -- Kinetics of Chemical and Radioactive Processes -- Quantum Mechanics -- Approximating Complicated Functions -- Principles of Integration -- Essential Physical Concepts for Chemistry -- Forces and Interactions -- Kinetic and Potential Energy -- Springs -- Coulomb's Law -- Gravity -- Harmonic Motion -- Introduction to Waves -- Sound Waves -- Electromagnetic Waves -- Properties of Waves -- Introduction to Atomic and Molecular Interactions -- Chemical Bonds -- Diatomic Molecules--Degrees of Freedom -- Polyatomic Molecules -- Intermolecular Interactions -- Introduction to Statistics and Statistical Mechanics -- The "Random Walk" Problem -- The Normal (Gaussian) Distribution -- Applications of the Normal Distribution in Chemistry and Physics -- Molecular Diffusion -- Error Bars -- Propagation of Errors -- The Boltzmann Distribution -- Applications of the Boltzmann Distribution -- Distribution of Gases Above the Ground -- Velocity Distribution and Average Energy of Gases -- Applications of Statistics to Kinetics and Thermodynamics -- Reaction Rates: The Arrhenius Equation -- Equilibrium Constants: Relation to Energy and Entropy Changes -- Introduction to Quantum Mechanics -- Prelude -- Blackbody Radiation--Light as Particles -- Properties of Blackbody Radiation -- Applications of Blackbody Radiation -- Heat Capacity and the Photoelectric Effect -- Orbital Motion and Angular Momentum -- Atomic Structure and Spectra-quantization of Energy -- Particles as Waves -- The Consequences of Wave-Particle Duality -- Classical Determinism and Quantum Indeterminacy -- Classical Uncertainty: Predicting the Future -- The Crushing Blow to Determinism -- The Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle -- Applications of the Uncertainty Principle -- Angular Momentum and Quantization of Measurements -- Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy and Imaging -- Applications of Quantum Mechanics -- Wave Mechanics -- Prelude--Imaginary and Complex Numbers -- Wavefunctions and Expectation Values -- Schrodinger's Equation and Stationary States -- Particle-in-a-Box: Exact Solution -- Schrodinger's Equation for the Hydrogen Atom -- Multielectron Atoms and Molecules -- Ordering of Energy Levels -- The Nature of the Covalent Bond -- Hybridization -- The Kinetic Theory of Gases -- Collisional Dynamics -- Properties of Ideal Gases -- Assumptions behind the Ideal Gas Law -- Calculating Pressure -- The One-Dimensional Velocity Distribution and the Ideal Gas Law -- The Three-Dimensional Speed Distribution -- Other ideal Gas Properties -- Mixture Velocities and Effusion -- Heat Capacity -- Speed of Sound -- Assumptions of the Kinetic Theory--A Second Look -- Fluctuations from Equilibrium Values -- Thermal Conductivity -- Collisions and Intermolecular Interactions -- Mean Free Path and Mean Time Between Collisions -- Diffusion -- Nonideal Gas Laws -- The Interaction of Radiation with Matter -- Introduction to Absorption and Emission -- Absorption and Superposition States in Hydrogen Atoms -- Selection Rules for Hydrogen Absorption -- Spontaneous Emission -- Lasers and Stimulated Emission -- Molecular Spectroscopy -- Translational Energy -- Rotational Energy -- Vibrational Motion -- Chemistry and the Origins of Color -- Modern Laser Spectroscopy.

If the text you're using for general chemistry seems to lack sufficient mathematics and physics in its presentation of classical mechanics, molecular structure, and statistics understandable, this supplement may be what you're looking for. Written to provide supplemental and mathematically challenging topics for the advanced lower-division undergraduate chemistry course or the nonmajor, junior-level physical chemistry course, The Physical Basis of Chemistry, Second Edition offers your students an opportunity to explore quantum mechanics, the Boltzmann distribution, and spectroscopy in a refreshing way. Posed and answered are questions concerning everyday phenomena: How can two discharging shotguns and two stereo speakers be used to contrast particles and waves? Why does a collision between one atom of gas and the wall of its container transfer momentum but not much energy? How does a microwave oven work? Why does carbon dioxide production heat the earth? Why are leaves green and water blue, and how do our eyes detect the difference? Unlike other texts on this subject, however, The Physical Basis of Chemistry, Second Edition deals directly with the substance of these questions, avoiding the use of predigested material more appropriate for memorization exercises than for acutal concrete learning. The only prerequisite is first-semester calculus or familiarity with one-variable derivatives. In this new edition, the entire text has been rewritten and keyed with an accompanying CD-ROM, which contains instructive QuickTime movies on topics presented in the text to enhance student learning and participation.