• The gold standard physical chemistry text, which evolves with every edition to meet the needs of current students
• Exceptional mathematical support – including annotated equations, equation checklists, and mathematical resources – enables students to master the maths which underlies physical chemistry
• The development of problem solving and analytical skills is actively encouraged by frequent worked examples, discussion questions, exercises, and problems
• A range of other learning features, including video tutorials, brief illustrations, and key concept checklists, are incorporated throughout to aid students in their study of physical chemistry

New to this edition

• A refreshed writing style is designed to retain clarity whilst matching the way you read
• A new prologue, ‘Energy: A First Look’, provides you with the conceptual foundations on which to build your knowledge and understanding of physical chemistry
• A new Topic within Focus 9 introduces you to the underlying principles of computational chemistry
• Further self-test material added, including over 200 multiple choice questions, and extra exercises, which now total over 1,000, and problems, totalling over 700.

About the Author(s)

Peter Atkins, Fellow, University of Oxford, Julio de Paula, Professor of Chemistry, Lewis and Clark College, and James Keeler, Associate Professor of Chemistry, University of Cambridge

Peter Atkins is a fellow of Lincoln College in the University of Oxford and Emeritus Professor of Physical Chemistry. He is the author of over seventy books for students and a general audience. His texts are market leaders around the globe. A frequent lecturer in the United States and throughout the world, he has held visiting professorships in France, Israel, Japan, China, Russia, the USA, and New Zealand. He was the founding chairman of the Committee on Chemistry Education of the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry and was a member of IUPAC’s Physical and Biophysical Chemistry Division. Peter was the 2016 recipient of the American Chemical Society’s Grady-Stack Award for the communication of chemistry.

Julio de Paula is a Professor of Chemistry, Lewis & Clark College. A native of Brazil, he received a B.A. degree in chemistry from Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, and a Ph.D. in biophysical chemistry from Yale University. His research activities encompass the areas of molecular spectroscopy, biophysical chemistry, and nanoscience. He has taught courses in general chemistry, physical chemistry, inorganic chemistry, biochemistry, environmental chemistry, instrumental analysis, and writing. Julio was a recipient of the 2020 STAR Award, given by the Research Corporation for Science Advancement.

James Keeler is Associate Professor of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, and Walters Fellow in Chemistry at Selwyn College. He received his first degree and doctorate from the University of Oxford, specializing in nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. He is presently Head of Department, and before that was Director of Teaching in the department and also Senior Tutor at Selwyn College.

Table of Contents

Focus 1: The properties of gases
Focus 2: The First Law
Focus 3: The Second and Third Laws
Focus 4: Physical transformations of pure substances
Focus 5: Simple mixtures
Focus 6: Chemical equilibrium
Focus 7: Quantum theory
Focus 8: Atomic structure and spectra
Focus 9: Molecular structure
Focus 10: Molecular symmetry
Focus 11: Molecular spectroscopy
Focus 12: Magnetic resonance
Focus 13: Statistical thermodynamics
Focus 14: Molecular interactions
Focus 15: Solids
Focus 16: Molecules in motion
Focus 17: Chemical kinetics
Focus 18: Reaction dynamics
Focus 19: Processes at solid surfaces