Th e second edition of this text—like the first edition—seeks to present all the
material required for a course in physical chemistry for students of the life sciences, including biology and biochemistry. To that end we have provided the foundations and biological applications of thermodynamics, kinetics, quantum theory, and molecular spectroscopy. Th e text is characterized by a variety of pedagogical devices, most of them directed toward helping with the mathematics that must remain an intrinsic part of physical chemistry. One such new device is the Mathematical toolkit, a boxed section that—as we explain in more detail in the ‘About the book’ section below— reviews concepts of mathematics just where they are needed in the text. Another device that we continue to invoke is A note on good practice. We consider that physical chemistry is kept as simple as possible when people use terms accurately and consistently. Our Notesemphasize how a particular term should and should not be used (by and large, according to IUPAC conventions). Finally, new to this edition, each chapter ends with a Checklist of key concepts and a Checklist of key equations, which together summarize the material just presented. Th e latter is annotated in many places with short comments on the applicability of each equation. Elements of biology and biochemistry continue to be incorporated in t |
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